Just witnessed an RTA
Discussion
So I'd just nipped out to collect my curry, and was sat in the cutting between the two sides of a dual carriageway (50mph limit) waiting to complete my u-turn. There was a Disco 1 waiting opposite me to cross into the cutting and turn right... And to do so he has to cross the other carriageway. We're both waiting for a Ford Ka to pass by before I comple my u-turn and he crosses into the cutting.
He starts to creep forward, I think "he looks a bit keen"... And then he sets off.
Cue one Ford Ka smashing straight into the o/s wheel of the Landy 2m from my bonnet.
I jump out, stop the traffic (don't want anybody else piling into the back of it), at the same time as both involved drivers, both shocked but unhurt. My first thought is to check for any kids in the (wrecked) Ka, all ok. I help them push it to the side of the road, one final check that all are ok, and head off home.
Sat mulling it over now, a few observations come to mind:
1. I'd forgotten just how violent a high speed impact looks and sounds
2. Land Rovers are unbelievably strong
3. As are Ford Ka's
4. People are stupid. When there is an accident in the road on front of you, and people all over the place, why try and squeeze past without slowing down?
5. An accident can literally come out of nowhere... Keep your wits about you!
He starts to creep forward, I think "he looks a bit keen"... And then he sets off.
Cue one Ford Ka smashing straight into the o/s wheel of the Landy 2m from my bonnet.
I jump out, stop the traffic (don't want anybody else piling into the back of it), at the same time as both involved drivers, both shocked but unhurt. My first thought is to check for any kids in the (wrecked) Ka, all ok. I help them push it to the side of the road, one final check that all are ok, and head off home.
Sat mulling it over now, a few observations come to mind:
1. I'd forgotten just how violent a high speed impact looks and sounds
2. Land Rovers are unbelievably strong
3. As are Ford Ka's
4. People are stupid. When there is an accident in the road on front of you, and people all over the place, why try and squeeze past without slowing down?
5. An accident can literally come out of nowhere... Keep your wits about you!
Edited by Bob Fossil on Friday 8th October 20:34
4 - don't turn a crisis into a drama,
get the traffic moving again rather than having a swarm of people milling around pointing at broken things, and a massive tail back...
I've often seen people have a bump at a roundabout, and they immediately go into this mode where they own the road, and your journey isn't as important as protecting the crime scene for CSI to turn up.
get the traffic moving again rather than having a swarm of people milling around pointing at broken things, and a massive tail back...
I've often seen people have a bump at a roundabout, and they immediately go into this mode where they own the road, and your journey isn't as important as protecting the crime scene for CSI to turn up.
TheEnd said:
4 - don't turn a crisis into a drama,
get the traffic moving again rather than having a swarm of people milling around pointing at broken things, and a massive tail back...
I've often seen people have a bump at a roundabout, and they immediately go into this mode where they own the road, and your journey isn't as important as protecting the crime scene for CSI to turn up.
Completely agree, but this is a fast, dark dual carriageway with a Ka sat in the middle of it...get the traffic moving again rather than having a swarm of people milling around pointing at broken things, and a massive tail back...
I've often seen people have a bump at a roundabout, and they immediately go into this mode where they own the road, and your journey isn't as important as protecting the crime scene for CSI to turn up.
Well it's nice to know there are still people about who will stop and help rather than drive off and hope someone else sorts it!
But I agree with the above re: 4, I've driven past a few accidents where it's obvious everyone is out the car and OK, they are chatting away so all that would happen if I stopped is that there's an extra person milling about being rather useless...
But I agree with the above re: 4, I've driven past a few accidents where it's obvious everyone is out the car and OK, they are chatting away so all that would happen if I stopped is that there's an extra person milling about being rather useless...
TheEnd said:
they immediately go into this mode where they own the road, and your journey isn't as important as protecting the crime scene for CSI to turn up.
But isn't it satisfying when you've told them to clear the road, (either as a witness, or directly involved) and park up out of the way and swop details, have them refuse, and as soon as the Police arrive, they get a massive b
king for not clearing the road, and for having called them out over something so trivial, and then they get told to park up out of the way and swop details, and the Police then clear off as quickly as they arrived without even getting out of the car. Then you deliver the oh so smug "Told you so! 
Edited by Balmoral Green on Friday 8th October 21:04
FunkyNige said:
Well it's nice to know there are still people about who will stop and help rather than drive off and hope someone else sorts it!
But I agree with the above re: 4, I've driven past a few accidents where it's obvious everyone is out the car and OK, they are chatting away so all that would happen if I stopped is that there's an extra person milling about being rather useless...
Are you medically qualified? I wouldn't assume that just because someone is out of the car, they're "OK".But I agree with the above re: 4, I've driven past a few accidents where it's obvious everyone is out the car and OK, they are chatting away so all that would happen if I stopped is that there's an extra person milling about being rather useless...
Whiplash doesn't always manifest itself immediately.
Balmoral Green said:
Gizmo! said:
Whiplash doesn't always manifest itself immediately.
That's right, often it doesn't come on until they've seen the TV adverts or a mate has said they could be up for some compo.I am still suffering with neck pains and stiffness nearly a year after someone crashed into the back of me. But I agree, there are a surprising amount of freeloading pikey turd burglars out there.
Balmoral Green said:
Gizmo! said:
Whiplash doesn't always manifest itself immediately.
That's right, often it doesn't come on until they've seen the TV adverts or a mate has said they could be up for some compo. Yes, true. But genuinely: the power of adrenalin can mask a lot. When you wake up the morning after an accident, that's when you find out whether you're in trouble or not...8400rpm said:
Balmoral Green said:
Gizmo! said:
Whiplash doesn't always manifest itself immediately.
That's right, often it doesn't come on until they've seen the TV adverts or a mate has said they could be up for some compo.I am still suffering with neck pains and stiffness nearly a year after someone crashed into the back of me. But I agree, there are a surprising amount of freeloading pikey turd burglars out there.
No claim for injury was made BTW - just wanted to make the point that in a few cases the results of a car accident can be life changing
Balmoral Green said:
8400rpm said:
I am still suffering with neck pains and stiffness nearly a year after someone crashed into the back of me.
Sorry to hear that, I was only joking.
I was so angry at the time, I didn't feel a thing. A few days later I experienced pain and it properly hurt for a few weeks. Sometimes now I turn my head to check my blindspot when changing lanes and god it hurts. Or when lying down and then sitting upright can really be sharp.
Unfortunately it is such an odd and inconsistent issue, it is exactly why its such a popular thing for greedy b
ds to claim compo for.By all means, carry on aking cynical comments though, I totally agree.
Gizmo! said:
FunkyNige said:
<<I'll drive straight on>>
Are you medically qualified? I wouldn't assume that just because someone is out of the car, they're "OK".Whiplash doesn't always manifest itself immediately.
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