Accident or collision

I do have a couple of questions here - RC3 - at the time just before the collision - were you stopped at a red light? Had it just turned green? Or did he run the red after it had be green for at least 5 seconds.

The reason I ask - is that if we are stopped at the light - it is our responsibility to look both ways - before proceeding. Many people think that green means "GO" and that is incorrect! Green means proceed with caution. Another misconception is that we think "But I have the right of way" Actually, no one has the right of way until it is given to you.

I would always tell my class - "its not a matter of who it right or wrong - but rather a matter of preventing a collision.

A collision happens when a vehicle comes in contact with another vehicle, item (pole, sign, ect) or the road - (ie car flips over)
An accident is an unfortunate event that could not have been prevented.

98+% of all collisions are preventable.


You did mention air bags. Yes, they can be dangerous - expecally for those under 5'4" because you are sitting too close to the steering wheel. One way to over come that is to tape a 2x4 to the pedals - that will give you at least a couple of inches more aware from the steering wheel. Your belly button should be 10 -12 inches away from the steering wheel. (makes no difference if you have an inny or outty)
In addition, when airbags first came out - they were designed for someone at 150 pounds. Changes have been made.

Salty
Retired Driving instructor

 

I remember several years ago (1997) -some kids removed a stop sign -and the next day a motorist "ran" that stop sign - and I remember the driver and two passenger were DOA

 

If I remember correctly - in Germany - when a red light is to turn to Green - for 2 or 3 seconds will be Red and yellow.

 

maybe so, but in my driving classes, I would emphasize the use of collision, because, I wanted to impress on my students the serverity of such event.

 

So why dont we say "Head on Accident" !!!