Passed the scene around 0520. Dry road, daybreak, no wind. Skid marks indicated heavy breaking and a swerve to the right, across the breakdown lane and into the borrow pit. The car was on it's right side and totally engulfed in flame. Best guess? They were trying to avoid an animal. The other route driver and I have both hit a deer on that stretch of highway within two miles of this wreck.
My stop was at the hospital where I learned everyone got out and refused medical assistance. Good news.
People just won't condition themselves to take a hit instead of swerving and braking. Kind of like an airplane. If a crash is unavoidable, get the nose up and the wings level. You need to mentally prepare.
When I'm driving I do a lot of "what if". What if that semi gets blown into my lane? What if that oncoming driver can't make the curve and takes his half out of the middle? You get the picture.
So WSF, you are the poster boy for safe driving? Hell no. I drive too fast most of the time, to the point even stalwarts like my sister ask me to slow down. I've had a drivers license for 57 years and I've been off the road a few times. Always, the shiny side has stayed upright. Never have bent one to the point I couldn't keep driving it.
The point here is to encourage all of you not to drive in condition "White".
9 comments:
Yep, riding my Triumph on Hwy 80 near Davis Ca. Saw a Jack Rabbit and said out loud, "Sorry rabbit" and then thunk. Took hours to clean that rabbit off my bike. Me or the rabbit? Heh heh.
Sound wisdom WSF. Most people don't even spare a thought for the "what ifs" of life. Not while driving, not while doing anything. Having 360 situational awareness and having an ever evolving contingency plan are good ideas while driving. (Not to mention having the same "while breathing.")
You are correct. Yesterday watched some middle schoolers walking home. Crossing intersections without looking. Several were concentrating on their smart phones. Guess they think they are immortal.
And that same week, a fatality near there. 46 year old I believe.
Traffic ino signs in Colorado post the number of traffic deaths when they don't have any immediate messages. Makes you think.
I also di the 'what if' thing when I drive and I tried to teach it to the grandkids. Hopefully it took hold somewhere between their ears.
It will at last make them think once in awhile.
"take a hit instead of swerving and braking"
Deer-sized animals and down, yes.
Cattle, moose, or elk - not so sure...
Good point. Came close with elk but always got stopped in time. Once saw a hog crossing the road in Missouri that I'm glad we didn't hit.
Post a Comment