EyeWitness to Tragedy: How Close Calls Could Have Been Prevented

Have you ever witnessed a traffic accident that could have been easily avoided? I can recount a few incidents that left me deeply shaken and frustrated. One particularly alarming incident involved a driver who was tailing too closely and dangerously weaving. This reckless behavior likely caused an accident, as his car struck a barrier. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safe driving practices.

Personal Experiences with Near Misses

Another instance that comes to mind is when a woman hit me while riding my bicycle on a bright spring day. I was cycling with the flow of traffic on a busy street near the college parking lot. She decided to make a sharp right turn, right into me. Despite my bright clothing and the time of day, the collision could have been easily avoided if she had paid better attention. Unfortunately, the impact caused significant damage to my bicycle and my clothing, and I was taken to the emergency room for a thorough check-up. The police arrived on the scene and everyone was shaken but unhurt. Her insurance company came the following day to settle the incident, a lesson in how even the most straightforward turnovers can go wrong.

A Tragic and Preventable Accident

The most distressing case I've witnessed occurred on a rural route. A rural carrier was attempting a dangerous manoeuvre by driving a left-hand vehicle from the console in between the front seats. She was on the westbound shoulder, attempting a U-turn, but her inexperience and poor judgment led to a fatal outcome. After one truck passed, she started her U-turn. In her haste, she didn't notice the massive welding truck behind, which struck her, sending her car off the road and tumbling 200 feet. Tragically, the crash left her with a broken neck and her life was lost. Examining the vehicle after the accident, I found it to be spattered with her blood, a haunting reminder of the consequences of reckless driving. If she had taken a more cautious approach, waiting for the proper moment and operating the vehicle as it was intended to be driven, this accident could have been prevented.

A Narrow Escape

A final incident, and perhaps the closest call, occurred while I was waiting for a pedestrian crossing signal on a busy street. As the light turned amber, a car and a pickup truck were racing to make it through the intersection. The truck nearly clipped me, narrowly missing by a scant ten inches as the car managed to hit the truck. The truck ended up spinning across the intersection, causing a crash. Despite the incident, no one was injured, but both vehicles sustained considerable damage. I was grateful for someone's grace as I stood there, realizing that I had an angel on my shoulder that day.

These experiences highlight the importance of driving safely, paying attention, and practising defensive driving techniques. Even in seemingly minor incidents, the consequences can be severe and sometimes deadly. It's essential for all road users, especially drivers, to be vigilant and adhere to the laws and rules of the road to prevent accidents and save lives.