Almost got nailed

[clovishound]

Was coming back from the store a few minutes ago. Stopped at a 4 way stop. Everything normal, van coming from my right, but a ways off. I started into the intersection, luckily it was a wide intersection with multiple lanes. Guy in the van just blew right on through the intersection in front of me, without so much as slowing down, probably doing 40 - 45. Yeah, I had my eye on him, and would probably have had time to stop, if I had been a little further into the intersection. I don't assume that folks are actually going to stop. In this case, I wasn't disappointed.

And yes, he was on his cell phone. I guess that call was more important than other people's lives.

[JEBar]

seen that way too many times .... glad to hear no damage was done

[dave77]

Especially when I'm driving my Miata I assume no one sees me and also that people are going to do stupid stuff. That's why I gave up motorcycle riding many years ago, lady pulled out in front of me at a 2-way stop, said she didn't see me, I was laid up for 9 months.

My neighbor is a truck driver and says he hopes he can avoid killing someone before he retires. His biggest issue is people that pull in in front of him and then slam on their brakes to make a left turn apparently not realizing that a loaded semi can't stop as fast as they can.

[PT7]

I'm certain there could be tons of stories in this thread about "almost getting nailed." The parking lot cars here at my apartment complex display way too many of those "contacts." And the road accidents are being reported daily on the KCMO local news. Yikes! Anyway, I'm adding into your thread two recent happenings on our highways & byways.

These "nailed stories" came through my friends at our church. One Grandma & Grandma couple were spending the day with their grandson. They were rear-ended, car was totaled, but thankfully no injuries -- just bumped around pretty good. But the young boy was really shook up and quite scared when it happened. Second, a deacon at my church is a biker...has a beautiful Harley, and travels extensively. A friend of his, also a biker, was driving his Can-Am and was side-clobbered by a car on the highway. I didn't know that the trike model of the Can-Am has seat belts, and gratefully the fellow had his on. But his injuries were severe. Two broken legs & two broken arms (shattered bones externally visible!), some broken ribs, and a general battering of everything. Miraculously, no serious internal organ injuries. But he has a long way to go for any decent recovery.....lots of pain to wade through, surgeries, and tons of rehab to get going again, if he is able.

Don't know if cell phones were a distraction, but today on the road it is highly likely.

Very glad nothing happened to you, clovishound! Definitely is safer on the Indy 500 or Nascar tracks nowadays.
PT7

[BrokenolMarine]

We drive pickups, and choose the larger titan for long trips, in spite of the poorer gas mileage. It's advantage is the better view due to it's larger size and lift due to the 4x4 pro4x setup. We can see better and be seen better, and the survivability odds are higher.

We get about 15mpg on the highway, vs the 20 we might pull in the Frontier pro4x on the same trip, but the Titan is safer, more comfortable, and has better cargo space. Win/win all around.

I also try to stay at about five to seven over the posted limit... no more. In the long run, speeding doesn't get you much more than tickets or unwanted attention. I watch the other drivers carefully... whether I am driving, or riding in the right hand seat. It has saved Tina and I more than once.

[ditchparrot]

My brother-in-law was the safety director for both the Orange County and San Diego chapters of the Honda Gold Wing riders club. He was killed almost three years ago on a mountain road in SoCal when a contract driver for Lowe's blew right through a 4-way stop.

I ALWAYS anticipate other motorists doing the STUPIDEST thing possible. It's a bit stressful at times, but it keeps you better prepared for any eventuality.

[CT_Shooter]

One of my "favorite" stupid driver practices happens when the on-coming lane is blocked by a UPS truck or some other obstacle and the on-coming driver drifts into the center of my lane as we both approach it. Just because his lane is restricted doesn't mean I have to avoid a head-on by hard braking in my right of way. The last time it happened (yesterday), that driver gave me the finger for being in his way! Really.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

The road sure does seem to be worse in this day and age. I also used to ride a motorcycle too and still love them, but glad to be off of them now. Driving defensively is more important that ever but sometimes, as some have mentioned above, it's just not enough. Texting seems to be the worse of the problems, along with all of the other distractions out there. Crazy thing is, some of the distractions are built right into the dash boards by the auto makers themselves. Stupidity is too abundant. Things need to start changing.

[BigAl52]

Cell Phones. There a big reason that there is more accidents on the road. I still ride a motorcycle and want to keep riding but I am having second thoughts more often that I use to.

[clovishound]

I read the other day that the number one cause of death for teenagers now is texting and driving.

[BrokenolMarine]

We rode in the ambulance as EMTs for four years. A lot of the MVAs you'd find the cell phones still open in the car. Worse still, the patient screaming in pain, severely injured... bleeding everywhere. You're trying to get critical info... what do they answer your questions with? A question. "Where's my phone? I need my phone. Have you seen my phone? Did my phone break? Phone... get my phone."

Gives you a great idea what CAUSED the accident.

[dave77]

Washington state made non-hands free cell phone use illegal a few years ago but I don't think it's being enforced much. I still see lots of drivers holding phones. New law passed last year is even more strict.

"Texting is already illegal, as is holding a cellphone at the ear. Drivers constantly flout those rules, or evade them by holding a phone between the legs, or just below the chin.

The new bill forbids handheld uses, including composing or reading any kind of message, picture or data. Photography while driving is illegal.

Drivers also cannot use handheld devices while at a stop sign or red-light signal."

[Sir Henry]

Washington state made non-hands free cell phone use illegal a few years ago but I don't think it's being enforced much. I still see lots of drivers holding phones. New law passed last year is even more strict.

"Texting is already illegal, as is holding a cellphone at the ear. Drivers constantly flout those rules, or evade them by holding a phone between the legs, or just below the chin.

The new bill forbids handheld uses, including composing or reading any kind of message, picture or data. Photography while driving is illegal.

Drivers also cannot use handheld devices while at a stop sign or red-light signal."

It is also illegal on a federal level. On Fort Lewis the MP's are looking for it and will issue a ticket in a heartbeat. It is one of their easiest money makers.