How lucky was I?
Discussion
Glad you're all ok, looks like a glancing blow that was just offset enough not to intrude any more, could have been worse. Even with modern cars a head-on collision at NSL overtaking speed is not going to be good.
That said, I've certainly heard it said that you "should never apologise" after a collision, as it can affect insurance companies' efforts to resolve liability. So maybe he had too...
Ultimately it just looks like poor observation on the Passat driver's behalf to me, probably driven by being too keen to pass. I can't imagine he would've deliberately pulled out in that situation, and you can see him brake and swerve away when he sees the Focus (too late).
I can only imagine that the black Focus approaching on a sunny day with lots of dark and shade, wasn't as obvious as you'd intutively think it should be, Passat driver had already decided in his head that the road was clear, and didn't realise you were there until too late.
Obviously the Passat driver was in too much of a hurry and didn't take the time for a more careful look, and his positioning on the bumper of the Mazda ahead was terrible too and would have given him less time to see the approaching Focus.
Prohibiting said:
Police involved and all blew 0 on the breathlizer.
I have 2 witnesses who said the VW was driving like a looney and that he had already overtaken several cars previously. VW driver had 3 passengers, all adults probably in their 30-40's. What annoyed me most is that none of them apologised (they were not English if that makes any difference).
I definitely understand that in that shocking situation, an apology would've made a difference.I have 2 witnesses who said the VW was driving like a looney and that he had already overtaken several cars previously. VW driver had 3 passengers, all adults probably in their 30-40's. What annoyed me most is that none of them apologised (they were not English if that makes any difference).
That said, I've certainly heard it said that you "should never apologise" after a collision, as it can affect insurance companies' efforts to resolve liability. So maybe he had too...
Ultimately it just looks like poor observation on the Passat driver's behalf to me, probably driven by being too keen to pass. I can't imagine he would've deliberately pulled out in that situation, and you can see him brake and swerve away when he sees the Focus (too late).
I can only imagine that the black Focus approaching on a sunny day with lots of dark and shade, wasn't as obvious as you'd intutively think it should be, Passat driver had already decided in his head that the road was clear, and didn't realise you were there until too late.
Obviously the Passat driver was in too much of a hurry and didn't take the time for a more careful look, and his positioning on the bumper of the Mazda ahead was terrible too and would have given him less time to see the approaching Focus.
Unfortunately, this is one of the consequences of people dawdling on the road (ie the driver in front of the Passat) I would hazard a guess that driver was driving below fhe NSL and there was the usual dozen or so cars behind him/her
But it doesn't excuse the Volkswagen for driving in such a manner
But it doesn't excuse the Volkswagen for driving in such a manner
Damage on the Focus was crazy - intrusion into the passenger cell , i reckon another foot over and you'd have been in hospital or worse.
I think you also turned left slightly which no doubt helped you.
Push for dangerous driving. Given the witness statements that's not going to be hard to prove.
Holy s
t man - glad you're alright.
I think you also turned left slightly which no doubt helped you.
Push for dangerous driving. Given the witness statements that's not going to be hard to prove.
Holy s
t man - glad you're alright. Wow, that is scary! I very nearly had a head on in similar circumstances a few years ago, luckily I had more time to react and managed to stand on the brakes and avoid a collision (and the guy following me nearly rear ended me!) but even that shook me up.
At least you're OK OP, a few mph or a few milliseconds here or there and that could have been a lot worse.
At least you're OK OP, a few mph or a few milliseconds here or there and that could have been a lot worse.
That is mental? It appears the driver had a clear view 3 seconds before impact as he was edging out. Sun visor down. The OPs car emerging from shade? Would driving on dipped beam make an difference to visibility.
Absolutely nothing OP could have done. a few tenths of a second earlier and things could have been very different. Wow!
Absolutely nothing OP could have done. a few tenths of a second earlier and things could have been very different. Wow!
Tripel Karmeliet said:
Unfortunately, this is one of the consequences of people dawdling on the road (ie the driver in front of the Passat) I would hazard a guess that driver was driving below fhe NSL and there was the usual dozen or so cars behind him/her
But it doesn't excuse the Volkswagen for driving in such a manner
I'd also add that the hobbling of safe overtaking spots also plays a part - anywhere where you could overtake safely seems to have had solid lines or a camera installed now. It means people are given less-safe options to pass slow moving traffic which is the opposite of what you'd actually want to achieve.But it doesn't excuse the Volkswagen for driving in such a manner
Edited by Funk on Tuesday 1st September 00:29
Tripel Karmeliet said:
How did that Volkswagen driver think its a great idea to overtake that car just then...?
The sun was low, visabillity impaired, and a black car might fade into the background. He was in a rush, saw a straight, didn't see the Black car and went for it.
I'm not making excuses. But that's how these things happen. This is why day light running lights have become standard.
Mikebentley said:
OP so glad you are all ok. You showed great strength of character during that incident. I think you reacted very well.
Yeah. Interesting that. Hes not the 1st to take a near death experience in his stride, like as if he was Chuck Norris!You rarely see people reacting angrily, shouting expletives. I dunno OP, is it more of an instant reaction to think 'wow, I'm not dead?' Like an instant feeling of relief?
Very scary that. I'm not sure how I would react. Glad everyone got out relatively unscathed.
Initially I did wonder if the Passat driver swerving was a reaction to maybe the driver in front braking as he was right up the back of that car beforehand. Caught out and his automatic reaction was to swerve.
Sounds like from what the witnesses said that the driver of the Passat was basically a ****!
Glad you're all in one piece OP, I hope the driver gets some kind of punishment for such shocking driving.
Sounds like from what the witnesses said that the driver of the Passat was basically a ****!
Glad you're all in one piece OP, I hope the driver gets some kind of punishment for such shocking driving.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff