Spare a thought...
Discussion
blueacid said:
GreatGranny said:
The thread is 8 years old!!!
And? It doesn't make it any less relevant today as it was when first penned.It is an old post, but even 21 years later, the events of that night still affect us all. Mum died last November and is now buried with Jane. There was always something missing from mum after Jane died, and we like to think she's finally settled now they're together again.
The accident had a huge effect on me too, and was - and still is - by far my biggest motivation in trying to improve driving standards. I never lost my enthusiasm for motoring, and if my posts and book just make one person think twice about making a bad decision on the road, I'll be happy.
R_U_LOCAL said:
I never lost my enthusiasm for motoring, and if my posts and book just make one person think twice about making a bad decision on the road, I'll be happy.
We're all here because we're enthusiasts - and rereading that original post brought a tear to the eye again, I can only imagine how hard it must've been to write so eloquently on that topic.I found your videos helpfull when I was going in for my advanced - err, you mentioned a book? Go on... plug please...
Pot Bellied Fool said:
We're all here because we're enthusiasts - and rereading that original post brought a tear to the eye again, I can only imagine how hard it must've been to write so eloquently on that topic.
I found your videos helpfull when I was going in for my advanced - err, you mentioned a book? Go on... plug please...
Click my username!I found your videos helpfull when I was going in for my advanced - err, you mentioned a book? Go on... plug please...
Print copy should be available in time for Easter.
Very sorry to hear about your family's loss, which won't be any the less for the passing of time.
And thank you for sharing your account of what happened; as you say, it's important for us all to reflect and change our behaviour.
The vast majority of people reading this aren't like the two idiots racing, so we have little to learn from them: few of us would have been so stupid anyway. But perhaps we can learn what your sister might have been able to do to protect herself. This isn't intended as criticism of her, because she probably didn't know this, never having been taught it. I only know it because an advanced driving examiner (probably someone just like you, Reg) ticked me off for making the mistake that your sister might have made, and since then I've been careful to avoid it.
When waiting to turn right, always leave your front wheels straight, don't turn them in anticipation of the direction you're going to go.
If necessary, stop a foot or two further back to take account of the short distance it will take to wind on the steering lock when you do get the chance to make the turn.
Who knows how things might have panned out differently if your sister had had the benefit of that examiner's advice. Perhaps the initial rear-end impact wouldn't have pushed her car into the path of oncoming vehicles, thus preventing the secondary impacts.
The blame lies squarely with the two drivers racing each other, but sometimes we can protect ourselves from the stupidity of others. Reading this has made me even more grateful for the advice and training I've received.
Edited to add: Just downloaded your book to my Kindle. Looking forward to getting stuck into it!
And thank you for sharing your account of what happened; as you say, it's important for us all to reflect and change our behaviour.
The vast majority of people reading this aren't like the two idiots racing, so we have little to learn from them: few of us would have been so stupid anyway. But perhaps we can learn what your sister might have been able to do to protect herself. This isn't intended as criticism of her, because she probably didn't know this, never having been taught it. I only know it because an advanced driving examiner (probably someone just like you, Reg) ticked me off for making the mistake that your sister might have made, and since then I've been careful to avoid it.
When waiting to turn right, always leave your front wheels straight, don't turn them in anticipation of the direction you're going to go.
If necessary, stop a foot or two further back to take account of the short distance it will take to wind on the steering lock when you do get the chance to make the turn.
Who knows how things might have panned out differently if your sister had had the benefit of that examiner's advice. Perhaps the initial rear-end impact wouldn't have pushed her car into the path of oncoming vehicles, thus preventing the secondary impacts.
The blame lies squarely with the two drivers racing each other, but sometimes we can protect ourselves from the stupidity of others. Reading this has made me even more grateful for the advice and training I've received.
Edited to add: Just downloaded your book to my Kindle. Looking forward to getting stuck into it!
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Saturday 21st March 08:12
Never read this thread before but I'm so glad I have now. Being in a severe accident with one of my friends when I was 17 slowed me down hugely ever since, and your post really made me think about I've let my standards drop in the 15 years since and my confidence in my driving skills to get too high.
May your sister and your mother always rest in peace.
May your sister and your mother always rest in peace.
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