The secret to staying out of a car crash | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 63370983 United States 11/25/2014 08:14 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I've never used any rules at all. I just do what I feel is safe. I drive at a speed safe for the road, safe speed for the road conditions, at a safe distance behind the car in front. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 64136628 If someone needs to define all that for you, you're probably not smart enough to be trusted with a car. You are living in rare air poster. Hope you know that. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 64686669 United States 11/25/2014 08:20 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 63370983 United States 11/25/2014 08:20 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
402 User ID: 65465563 United States 11/25/2014 08:22 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 63370983 United States 11/25/2014 08:25 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | The secret to keeping a crash off your record is to just exchange information and don't involve the police. Your insurance company will know but not the dmv and later a job application doesn't see it. Quoting: 402 That also sucks. Just wait till you crash into a guy who is high on cocain. He will tell you everything is cool and then testify that you were at fault........wake up. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 40031639 United States 11/25/2014 08:25 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 63370983 United States 11/25/2014 08:27 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I try to always stay in the right lane then let all the people pass me. Hang back a bit longer and you basically have the road to yourself. Also, ball bearings launched from a sunroof can help deter a tailgater. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 40031639 Especially if you notice a school bus full of nuns and orphans behind you.......... |
402 User ID: 65465563 United States 11/25/2014 08:27 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | The secret to keeping a crash off your record is to just exchange information and don't involve the police. Your insurance company will know but not the dmv and later a job application doesn't see it. Quoting: 402 That also sucks. Just wait till you crash into a guy who is high on cocain. He will tell you everything is cool and then testify that you were at fault........wake up. I was at fault. Both times. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 56550270 United States 11/25/2014 08:28 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | A few years ago, the city of Los Angeles hired a top civil engineer to study the L.A. freeway system. They wanted to know whats wrong. After the study, his conclusion was this - There was nothing wrong with the freeway - It was the drivers - specifically TAILGATING. Quoting: applianceguy7000 So, in my travels, I met an off duty traffic officer and asked him about this and if there were any rules of thumb to follow. He said yes - one car length distance for each ten miles per hour average speed. So thats seven car lengths distance you should keep at 70mph. This allows people to change lanes/ramp on/ramp off. There is nobody to run into in case of a sudden road hazard like deer in the road or things falling out of trucks. I have logged about one million miles in the last 15 years using this strategy and have never been involved in an accident - but have managed to avoid many because I had room to move. I can only hope this one little piece of advice can prevent even one injury or death. Isn't this common knowledge from the Drivers Ed test? |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 11339483 Canada 11/25/2014 08:28 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I really don't see how this is a secret over just common sense, people just won't follow that rule when you put millions on the road. I've never been the cause of an accident, but I had a truck pull right infront of me going opposite directions when we both had the green light to go straight, only he decided to turn left. No car length rule can save that also human error on his part. You maybe have a slight tip or reference to a drivers manual but I'm not so sure a secret. |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 63370983 United States 11/25/2014 08:29 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 62619182 United States 11/25/2014 08:30 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | They actually used to teach this rule in drivers ed. here in California, however...driving on California freeways everyday, long distances, there is no way unless you are moving in reverse to ever have 7 seconds between you and another car - any space or gap, you have multiple cars pulling in front of you, so essentially, you would go slower, and slower, then finally be driving in reverse. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 33435073 United States 11/25/2014 08:31 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 63370983 United States 11/25/2014 08:31 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I really don't see how this is a secret over just common sense, people just won't follow that rule when you put millions on the road. I've never been the cause of an accident, but I had a truck pull right infront of me going opposite directions when we both had the green light to go straight, only he decided to turn left. No car length rule can save that also human error on his part. You maybe have a slight tip or reference to a drivers manual but I'm not so sure a secret. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 11339483 I was using words to get a point across. You know - words? |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 65283790 United States 11/25/2014 08:32 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | 1 car length per 10Mph Is NOT a very good rule! 70Mph = 102 fps That gives you less then a second to respond. I learned the 3 second rule twenty years ago. I have a perfect driving record. And the the second rule has helped keep it That way... Knock on wood... |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 63370983 United States 11/25/2014 08:35 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | 1 car length per 10Mph Quoting: Anonymous Coward 65283790 Is NOT a very good rule! 70Mph = 102 fps That gives you less then a second to respond. I learned the 3 second rule twenty years ago. I have a perfect driving record. And the the second rule has helped keep it That way... Knock on wood... blame a cop if you think it sucks. i actually make even more room than that. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 33435073 United States 11/25/2014 08:35 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 60519776 Canada 11/25/2014 08:37 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I once remember reading that one of the worlds best stunt drivers refuses to drive on freeways in the rain...He says that virtually no-one is capable of handling an emergency breaking situation at that speed...! Quoting: Anonymous Coward 65500544 Rain? Pfffft.. Try a four lane sheet of ice. My rule of thumb is to stay as far away from everyone else as possible period. Get into snowmobile country and every 3rd truck is weighed down with their headlights out of alignment, blinding you. My last few long haul trips were rough. Crazy mountain roads, ass grabbers everywhere, deer, moose, elk, even saw a wolf in a blizzard. Literally fishtail swerved through a herd of mountain goats on a mountain peak. Still accident free, fuck yeah! Just stay away from people. |
Can't Think Now User ID: 63470501 United States 11/25/2014 08:38 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 63370983 United States 11/25/2014 08:40 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 19476156 United States 11/25/2014 08:41 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 65074386 United States 11/25/2014 08:41 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Truckers live in their mirrors. If you can't see their mirror they can't see you. Always know your surroundings and ALWAYS have a way out. 2-4 second rule is fine for cars but that don't work for trucks. Cell phones are killers and that doesn't mean just yours. Constantly scan your mirrors. Always have a way out. No distractions. (phones, loud music) Above all, always assume the other driver is an idiot. (most are) |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 47413488 United States 11/25/2014 08:41 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | An easy way to determine a safe following distance is to allow 2 seconds of distance. That is, the car in front of you passes a light pole, you should not reach that point sooner than two seconds or you are too close. Sane mindful people like you make the roads safer. Thanks. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 44430661 New Zealand 11/25/2014 08:42 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I try to always stay in the right lane then let all the people pass me. Hang back a bit longer and you basically have the road to yourself. Also, ball bearings launched from a sunroof can help deter a tailgater. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 40031639 That doesn't work very well here because the right lane is usually full of cars going the other way. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 62825590 United States 11/25/2014 08:45 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Another practice I use that has kept me out of numerous potential accidents is to constantly scan your mirrors so you know where other cars are in relation to yours. For instance, if in the center lane of a three lane highway, and you know you have a car slightly behind you in the right lane, and nothing in the fast lane, and you are forced to swerve hard for whatever reason, you will know the safe maneuver is to your left. If you were not aware of the other vehicle, you might swerve into the car on the right because you didn't know it was there. Another benefit to doing this is, you will never have a cop sneak up on you from behind, because you will have spotted him while he was a long way behind. The other thing is to properly adjust your side mirrors...most people do not do this correctly. The proper way is be seated in the drivers seat and tilt your head back until it is against the headrest. At this point adjust the drivers side mirror just to where you can see the side of the car, and do the same for the passenger side. This will make the mirrors set to view your blind spot with just a glance at your side mirrors. You can test to be accurate the next time you are on the highway. Assuming your mirrors are set in this fashion, watch as a car is approaching you in the fast lane (drivers side...in the US, of course). Follow the car with your rearview mirror. As soon as the car is out of your rearview mirror sight, look over at the side mirror and the car will be right there. As soon as it is out of your side mirror, it will be in your eyesight..without turning your head to much. With the mirrors set properly, you will never lose sight of cars on either side. With side mirrors set the way most are (set while sitting in the normal driving position and just looking over and setting them where it "looks good", you completely lose your ability to see whats in your blind spot...until it's too late. Constantly scan your mirrors, and you will avoid many dangers (including tickets!) on the road! |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 63370983 United States 11/25/2014 08:45 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | An easy way to determine a safe following distance is to allow 2 seconds of distance. That is, the car in front of you passes a light pole, you should not reach that point sooner than two seconds or you are too close. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 47413488 Sane mindful people like you make the roads safer. Thanks. The small things matter. Thank you for seeing that |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 65271271 United States 11/25/2014 08:46 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I make a game of driving from point A to B with the fewest times on the brakes. The car length/per10mph thing is not a secret. I was taught that rule in driver ed. 45 years ago. Another fun one(especially on longer trips) is to try to be the only car in the gaps between the packs. Be an in-betweener! |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 63370983 United States 11/25/2014 08:47 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Another practice I use that has kept me out of numerous potential accidents is to constantly scan your mirrors so you know where other cars are in relation to yours. For instance, if in the center lane of a three lane highway, and you know you have a car slightly behind you in the right lane, and nothing in the fast lane, and you are forced to swerve hard for whatever reason, you will know the safe maneuver is to your left. If you were not aware of the other vehicle, you might swerve into the car on the right because you didn't know it was there. Another benefit to doing this is, you will never have a cop sneak up on you from behind, because you will have spotted him while he was a long way behind. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 62825590 The other thing is to properly adjust your side mirrors...most people do not do this correctly. The proper way is be seated in the drivers seat and tilt your head back until it is against the headrest. At this point adjust the drivers side mirror just to where you can see the side of the car, and do the same for the passenger side. This will make the mirrors set to view your blind spot with just a glance at your side mirrors. You can test to be accurate the next time you are on the highway. Assuming your mirrors are set in this fashion, watch as a car is approaching you in the fast lane (drivers side...in the US, of course). Follow the car with your rearview mirror. As soon as the car is out of your rearview mirror sight, look over at the side mirror and the car will be right there. As soon as it is out of your side mirror, it will be in your eyesight..without turning your head to much. With the mirrors set properly, you will never lose sight of cars on either side. With side mirrors set the way most are (set while sitting in the normal driving position and just looking over and setting them where it "looks good", you completely lose your ability to see whats in your blind spot...until it's too late. Constantly scan your mirrors, and you will avoid many dangers (including tickets!) on the road! Awesome post. I was hoping this would come up!! Learn your mirror adjustment!!!!! |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 60519776 Canada 11/25/2014 08:47 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 63370983 United States 11/25/2014 08:51 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |