Driving again after a crash.
Discussion
On Thursday I was involved in what could have been a very, very serious accident - seems that the braking system failed on my brand new van, the first time I'd driven it. Fortunately when you change control system (I'm disabled and drive a van with very specialised, complex adaptations), Motability insist on an instructor being present at handover, and an instructor brake is temporarily installed on the passenger side. So I had the company of a very experienced instructor, but this brake also didn't work properly; the vehicle hit the central reservation of a dual carriageway at ~30mph. Incredibly, nobody was significantly injured and no other vehicle was affected and I'm very grateful for both of those.
What I'm struggling with is the thought of getting back in a vehicle - the system of checks and tests clearly failed in some way, how do I know they won't do so again - what if next time I'm doing 70 not 30, etc. etc. I've never been a nervous driver, but I think I am now. How do I get my mojo back?
What I'm struggling with is the thought of getting back in a vehicle - the system of checks and tests clearly failed in some way, how do I know they won't do so again - what if next time I'm doing 70 not 30, etc. etc. I've never been a nervous driver, but I think I am now. How do I get my mojo back?
This must be a very rare fault, or the industry would be getting a right old kicking from all and sundry.
It's happened to you once, the chances of it happening twice are very remote.
Courage, mon brave, zut alors, everything forward and trust in the lord, tally ho...
And all that....
You'll be fine after a short time.
It's happened to you once, the chances of it happening twice are very remote.
Courage, mon brave, zut alors, everything forward and trust in the lord, tally ho...
And all that....
You'll be fine after a short time.
mybrainhurts said:
You can if your mate distracts the Big Bloke In The Sky and you've got a parachute...
This is an exquisite summary of life with complicated medical crap in it. 
About eight months ago it was concluded that my BBITS-distracting consultant is doing it so consistently and so well that the Big Bloke's given up and lost interest, resulting in a much improved best-before date for yours truly. Which is nice really.
It affects you in different ways. Had a chap drive down the side of us a good few years ago. Exterior mirror bent in, shattered the window and showered me in glass and left lovely dents down the side. After those couple of seconds of shock and checking everyone was okay I just got about exchanging details and then clearing up the mess. Once home I thought "What if".
At first go slow and on local roads with someone for company if you feel nervous, but please don't let it stop you from being mobile.
It really is best to start driving straight away and not let the fear set it.
Good luck.
At first go slow and on local roads with someone for company if you feel nervous, but please don't let it stop you from being mobile.
It really is best to start driving straight away and not let the fear set it.
Good luck.
BlackVanDyke said:
On Thursday I was involved in what could have been a very, very serious accident - seems that the braking system failed on my brand new van, the first time I'd driven it. Fortunately when you change control system (I'm disabled and drive a van with very specialised, complex adaptations), Motability insist on an instructor being present at handover, and an instructor brake is temporarily installed on the passenger side. So I had the company of a very experienced instructor, but this brake also didn't work properly; the vehicle hit the central reservation of a dual carriageway at ~30mph. Incredibly, nobody was significantly injured and no other vehicle was affected and I'm very grateful for both of those.
What I'm struggling with is the thought of getting back in a vehicle - the system of checks and tests clearly failed in some way, how do I know they won't do so again - what if next time I'm doing 70 not 30, etc. etc. I've never been a nervous driver, but I think I am now. How do I get my mojo back?
What has the manufacturer said? Id consider rejecting the vehicle out of hand, when I consider myself being in your position.What I'm struggling with is the thought of getting back in a vehicle - the system of checks and tests clearly failed in some way, how do I know they won't do so again - what if next time I'm doing 70 not 30, etc. etc. I've never been a nervous driver, but I think I am now. How do I get my mojo back?
Id be waiting for their explanation and their proposals too.
As another poster has said, if you fall off a horse, get straight back on,it's the only way. Same with an RTA, get behind the wheel as soon as possible.I had a nasty head on 20 years ago pre airbags etc, and am lucky to be here, combined impact speed 80mph.As soon as I was out of hospital and could just about control a car, I HAD to get out for a short drive to get my bottle back.It worked and after a few difficult months, I was back to the usual 40k pa. Good luck OP, you will be fine, just get out there as soon as you can.
I had total brake failure in my old Astra GTE. I was lucky to be going slowly enough than I could stop it safely using the emergency brake. Fortunately this was something I'd practiced a bit.
Before you drive check for leaks by pumping the brake pedal with the engine off until it goes hard, then stand on it as hard as you can. If it doesn't slowly push to the floor (or snap off) it's time to drive. Get rolling then slam the brakes on 2mph, then at 5mph, then if your feeling brave 10mph. After that you should be sick of emergency stops and can get on with driving again.
I still don't entirely trust brakes, even though the last brake failure I had was 5 years ago (leaky caliper found through pedal feel, unlike the total catasrophic failure in my Astra). Healthy caution about brake effectiveness is a good safety tool.
Before you drive check for leaks by pumping the brake pedal with the engine off until it goes hard, then stand on it as hard as you can. If it doesn't slowly push to the floor (or snap off) it's time to drive. Get rolling then slam the brakes on 2mph, then at 5mph, then if your feeling brave 10mph. After that you should be sick of emergency stops and can get on with driving again.
I still don't entirely trust brakes, even though the last brake failure I had was 5 years ago (leaky caliper found through pedal feel, unlike the total catasrophic failure in my Astra). Healthy caution about brake effectiveness is a good safety tool.
lindrup119 said:
fttm said:
Why make a drama out of what nearly happened ? It could have been worse but wasn't ,get over yourself before you become a victim of your mind .
Strong but true I guess, don't let your imagination run away with you, or at least try to restrain it!As I said the other day: what does the manufacturer have to say? I think that the onus is on them to reassure the OP and also to address the issue with the adapted vehicle.
Edited by GC8 on Tuesday 6th August 08:02
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