by Jack
Like so many, many times before, my son was the first cop on the scene of a gruesome fatality. Two kids, well technically they were adults, 21 and 23. They were southbound on a straight, wide lane country road. It was a 45 mph zone, but drivers tend to cheat and add 10 mph. But the posted speed is done for a good reason. Anyway, a northbound car, moving at slow speed made a left turn right in front of them. No time to react, just pow! For whatever reason, the driver making the turn didn’t see them. Maybe it was because the victims were driving about 65 mph? Maybe it was because the driver turning was 75 and not with it? Who knows?
The cars hit on the opposing front fenders, but the velocity of the high speed took the kids car out of control and careening sideways into the corner a concrete barrier. The barrier didn’t budge. This folded the car into a V shape on impact. Less than 20 inches remained between the right side and the left side of the car. Death was instantaneous. The other driver suffered only minor injuries because her vehicle was moving slowly and damage was only to her left front fender… lucky her.
Like I said above, the woman who turned in front of them was 75 years old and she virtually escaped without a scratch.
To most drivers it would have been obvious that she was about to make a left turn, her car was slowing, she was close to the center line and I’ll bet her turn signal was on, but I didn’t get that part. Approaching her at excessive speed were the two kids. No doubt talking and having a good time, neither really paying attention or taking any preemptive action, like anticipating this other car might turn in front of them.
High speed is a contributing factor of course, but it will not absolved the other driver of her responsibility to yield to oncoming traffic. Did age, poor vision or reaction time play a role here? Not sure, but it’s my guess. But, I can’t get passed the fact that the young driver took no advanced precautions to avoid the collision. He had a clear view. It was a straight road with only 2 vehicles on it. Sadly, his defensive driving skills failed him and his passenger. He also didn’t even have a drivers license, which raises the next question, why was he driving?
Like most accidents there was plenty of fault to go around this time. A moment of bad judgement compounded another moment of bad judgement. And to think, both drivers had a chance to prevent the accident!
I’ve investigated many such multi-car accidents when I was a cop and I have to tell you, most accidents could have been avoided by one or the other drivers. However, a lot of that ability to avoid impact was taken away by the excessive speed this time, for that I blame youth. Always in a hurry.
Think about this, think as you drive, look for dangers ahead and anticipate what you will do if they come at you! We don’t need any more crosses along the side of the roadway.
Good Advise Jack, as the current Baby boomer generation ages, and their driving skills diminish, there is a tendency to be less reactive to time and distance as we age.
On the flip side, the younger drivers also lack the experience of defensive driving, and while just a opinion, a lot of the new generations thinking about “me first” as well as last minute rushing to be somewhere also comes into play.
Of the two age groups, the younger drivers have the best chance of preventing these traffic accidents, even when, as in this case they didn’t cause it, but contributed heavily to the outcome with excessive speed, had they not been speeding they may have avoided the older, but less competent drivers mistake.
The town of Paradise Ca, is heavily occupied with senior drivers and I pay very close attention while operating a vehicle in that town, and then your posting reminds me why in Chico with the collages I see the speed factor of younger drivers and sudden lane changes as they rush to what ever and while this tappers off when school is not in session in the summer, come fall it gets dicey again on Chico’s streets and highways.
Like Alcohol while driving , less attentive Geriatrics and the exuberance of youth can be a violent combination while sharing the road..
Don’t worry, Captain Jack.
With all the Demorat tax increases on gas, car registration tax, etc. plus all the roads falling apart and as this state’s economy goes south there will be less people driving and therefore fewer accidents.
My high-school driving instructor made a comment that I’ve never forgotten. He said “Whenever you get behind the wheel, drive DEFENSIVELY ’cause you never know what the other (idiot) driver is gonna do.”
Especially important if you find yourself on a freeway at rush hour!