When
many people think about what the most "dangerous"
collision is, they don't always come up with the correct answer
on first guess. Many think it is the "T-Bone"
(a 90 degree impact at an intersection), or a head-on. These
are serious collisions, and along with rear-end
collisions, account for many traffic deaths each year.
But time and again, the statistics show that the collision
that kills more of us than any other is the single vehicle,
off the road collision.
If you think about their causes, then
the ways to prevent them become obvious -- they happen when
we lose control for one reason or another. The driver might
be distracted for a moment, or fatigued
and drift off to sleep. A one-car crash can occur with a loss
of traction (and an uncontrolled skid,
or even with a tire failure. Driving
under the influence contributes to a great number of these
crashes each year; in my state, recent numbers show that about
35% of crashes are a result of impairment.
The "classic" one-car crash
results when a vehicle does a slow drift to the right, and
hits the dirt, or perhaps the rumble strips on the right shoulder
of the road. Typically, the driver gets alert at this point,
and overreacts, jerking the wheel left to bring the vehicle
back onto the road. That "jerk" to the left causes
the front left tire to strike the raised edge of the pavement
at a fairly sharp angle -- often causing a rollover or a swerve
into the oncoming lanes to the left. Why "classic?"
Because investigating officers will tell you they see this
type of mishap so often, it is now a cliché.
An ounce of prevention… The most
important defense you have against death or injury in this
type of collision is your seat belt.
In a crash, cause of death is often ejection from the vehicle
(the single greatest cause of death in motor vehicle collisions).
You can die from the simple impact injuries you suffer, or
be run over or crushed by your own vehicle as it rolls, or
be run over by others (such as emergency vehicles) as they
arrive. This is not a rare occurrence.
The preventive cures are simple. Avoid
distractions, avoid highway hypnosis (that groggy, hum-drum
feeling you get on long, straight, flat roads), be careful
about maintaining control and traction, keep
your speed prudent for the conditions, and make sure your
tires (and other equipment, like your brakes) are in good
condition and properly maintained. Make sure you are up to
the task of driving -- well-rested, especially after successive
days of long-driving-hours. Stay focused on the responsibility
of driving, consume NO alcohol before or during driving, and
be careful about over-the-counter or even prescription drugs
-- they are just as dangerous as alcohol if they impair your
driving abilities and just as illegal (read the label, if
it says don't drive, then DON'T).
If you find yourself drifting off the right
edge of the pavement, release the accelerator and let
the vehicle slow as you continue straight ahead along the
shoulder, then use the steering wheel to bring the vehicle
smoothly back onto the pavement. You can use the brakes while
slowing, but be careful not to apply them too heavily, and
make sure you are not trying to turn while braking.
<Rule
#32: Be a Safe Passer
Rule #34: Deal With Light Glare>
