Fender-Benders - stay safe

I witnessed two separate fender-benders yesterday.

And in both cases, I saw some of the participants engaged in very risky behaviour - they walked between the two cars involved.

Think about it: if Car B ran into the back of Car A, what are the chances that Car C might run into the back of Car B, driving it once again into Car A - and pinning the hapless victim between the bumpers?

Pretty high, actually.

Lightning striking twice in the same place?

Happens all the time.

The mother of a friend of one of my daughters was killed in this very manner. She had stopped to help a young mother who had run off the road during a snowstorm in her minivan with her young child in the van.

While the police and another Good Samaritan were looking after things, another car whose driver was apparently blinded by the snow plowed into the back end of the parade.

The original crash didn't hurt anybody; the aftermath killed two.

I understand that even a minor crash like this can be stressful. You're worried because with modern cars, even a small bump can cost several hundred dollars or more to fix. You might have a small bump or two yourself. You might not be thinking perfectly clearly.

But if it happens to you, try to remember one thing - DON'T walk between the cars! Get the data hand-off between you and the other driver done well off the travelled portion of the road.

Oh, and try to get the cars out of the way as soon as possible too, to avoid holding the rest of us up.

Comments

[Mike T.]

Great point Jim. I learned from years as an auto mechanic followed by decades as a firefighter (attending many auto crashes) NEVER to get in front of, or behind, a vehicle that contained a driver OR one that could get rear-ended. For instance - the dude at my local tire outlet stands in front of my car while he waves me onto the hoist. More fool him. What if I hit the gas instead of the brake? What if my gas pedal stuck (a la Toyota)? Most people don't think.
Jim for Ontario Minister of Motor Vehicle Sense.