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hedgehog

(36,286 posts)

18. I was in a bad accident 5 days before Christmas last year -

Thu Aug 28, 2014, 01:44 PM

Aug 2014

and I've been trying to figure out ever since how it happened. (I have no memeory of the actual impact) Reading this OP, it just now occurred to me that it's possible that the other driver was on the phone, which would explain everything!

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FFS! Stop texting and driving! [View all] Glassunion Aug 2014 OP

Rec, from a motorcyclist n/t IDemo Aug 2014 #1

+1 Enthusiast Aug 2014 #63

It's OK if you're in the fast lane and keep 23 car lengths back from the car ahead. NYC_SKP Aug 2014 #2

In my experience, keeping 23 car lengths between you & the car in front of you... Orrex Aug 2014 #46

That's what it's like where I am. Even in the winter on glare ice. nt laundry_queen Aug 2014 #89

I used to see truckers with newspapers open on the steering wheel from Fort Collins to Cheyenne, WY hlthe2b Aug 2014 #56

I saw a guy reading a magazine on top of the steering wheel cruising along LiberalElite Aug 2014 #88

I saw a lady trying to They_Live Aug 2014 #97

I once saw someone with a book open on his steering wheel-- tblue37 Aug 2014 #117

I saw a bus driver in down town St. Paul Minnesota Kalidurga Aug 2014 #119

Rec!!! Flyboy_451 Aug 2014 #3

R1200 RT-P? IDemo Aug 2014 #27

No. I'm currently on a Hardly Ableson FLHP Flyboy_451 Aug 2014 #33

I've been on a Kaw. VN900 Classic for 3 years IDemo Aug 2014 #36

Friend of mine rides the same bike. Flyboy_451 Aug 2014 #41

I've been saving for a GoPro to mount to the bike. Glassunion Aug 2014 #70

Check out the Ion Air Pro and the contour line as well. Flyboy_451 Aug 2014 #72

Florida Turnpike in one of the fast lines... idiot gets call, slows to 55 ... WTF JCMach1 Aug 2014 #4

Back in the 90's I used to see people reading books on the interstate underpants Aug 2014 #40

W W W_H H H H _Y Y Y YY? Sheepshank Aug 2014 #62

Maybe that book wasn't on tape yet underpants Aug 2014 #68

I saw someone doing it in downtown Orlando a number of years ago JCMach1 Aug 2014 #155

Just a note on motorcycles nykym Aug 2014 #5

Lane splitting is legal. tridim Aug 2014 #7

While lane splitting is legal in many states, Flyboy_451 Aug 2014 #11

Agreed, I would never do it. Too risky. tridim Aug 2014 #16

I Will Split Lanes ProgressiveJarhead Aug 2014 #26

Under most normal use cases, it's safer. Regrell Aug 2014 #101

According to every motorcycle safety group that I am aware of Flyboy_451 Aug 2014 #139

Lane splitting is not legal in most states whopis01 Aug 2014 #137

In 2 states and most of the rest of the world they most certainly are. Glassunion Aug 2014 #8

I find that the vast majority of drivers are attentive and courteous.. frylock Aug 2014 #23

You must drive in a very different part of the world Flyboy_451 Aug 2014 #38

Agreed...I spend about an hour every day on the 15 MindPilot Aug 2014 #58

it's legal in California for me to split lanes.. frylock Aug 2014 #21

Unless you're a cop. Gormy Cuss Aug 2014 #25

Dash cam Glassunion Aug 2014 #47

It turns out that the trooper did not lose his job.... xocet Aug 2014 #82

Figures. Glassunion Aug 2014 #83

Lane sharing in Los Angeles almost ScreamingMeemie Aug 2014 #52

it can be dangerous, but i'd rather take my chances splitting lanes.. frylock Aug 2014 #73

+1. Glassunion Aug 2014 #79

Like this? tblue37 Aug 2014 #118

the arrogance of these assholes is astounding Skittles Aug 2014 #6

Hit the nail loyalsister Aug 2014 #13

But it's just a quick message....It won't take lo.....Ooops. jeff47 Aug 2014 #9

Yeah but think of the drivers behind you at the end of the line Tommymac Aug 2014 #135

My point is the red is long enough to do that and still not have the light change. jeff47 Aug 2014 #147

This long-time motorcyclist agrees. raven mad Aug 2014 #10

Every single accident myself or a family member was in Aerows Aug 2014 #12

Please add to that list people who drive with their dogs in their lap. Lilyhoney Aug 2014 #14

My daughter and I saw someone doing 65mph+ on the highway while looking down, texting away. Nye Bevan Aug 2014 #15

Yeah, but have you ever seen someone curling their eyebrows at 55 mph? louis-t Aug 2014 #54

How about putting in eyedrops? MindPilot Aug 2014 #60

My favorite xxqqqzme Aug 2014 #64

How do you.... louis-t Aug 2014 #65

My occasional use of sign language usually only requires one hand. Glassunion Aug 2014 #71

From what I usually see on the road it only takes one hand to sign. whopis01 Aug 2014 #138

An episode of Fraser where station manager gets finger bit off louis-t Aug 2014 #149

K/R moondust Aug 2014 #17

I was in a bad accident 5 days before Christmas last year - hedgehog Aug 2014 #18

I drive the turnpike often Tree-Hugger Aug 2014 #19

I have seen people: IDemo Aug 2014 #39

I've seen those, too Tree-Hugger Aug 2014 #104

This message cannot be said enough! logosoco Aug 2014 #20

A similar one recently: marions ghost Aug 2014 #81

Those selfies and that post were so banal--certainly not important tblue37 Aug 2014 #120

Also the perception is that driving is boring marions ghost Aug 2014 #141

K & R In_The_Wind Aug 2014 #22

Agreed. Hong Kong Cavalier Aug 2014 #24

That needs to be the norm marions ghost Aug 2014 #76

I'd like to think so. Hong Kong Cavalier Aug 2014 #84

I could really use an app like that. I listen to lots of music and podcasts in the car. I'll try Stardust Aug 2014 #126

The iOS app is called Flux Tunes. Hong Kong Cavalier Aug 2014 #127

Got it!Thank you so much! Stardust Aug 2014 #131

Thx for the tip marions ghost Aug 2014 #140

Boy does that ever need to be the norm n/t truedelphi Aug 2014 #87

Yes, I take my life in my hands 4 times a day driving across an university sinkingfeeling Aug 2014 #28

I drive truck for a living. CANDO Aug 2014 #29

We drive a truck a lot for work... Glassunion Aug 2014 #48

I tuck my leg up when driving automatic cars, because otherwise my leg is looking for the clutch. bettyellen Aug 2014 #148

Motorcycles should come equipped with train horns. kentauros Aug 2014 #30

Motorcycle horns are notoriously anemic IDemo Aug 2014 #42

139 db! kentauros Aug 2014 #43

Just bookmarked this site. raven mad Aug 2014 #121

Rec from a former motorcyclist. iscooterliberally Aug 2014 #31

First thing I do when I get in the care is MineralMan Aug 2014 #32

Huge Rec from a bicyclist! While I was commuting in a progressive small city last year I would pass adirondacker Aug 2014 #34

Bicycles have it worse in some cases. Glassunion Aug 2014 #51

I've gotten to the point where I can recognize texting or phone use by the movement of the vehicle. L0oniX Aug 2014 #35

The "suddenly veering across 2 or 3 lanes to get to an exit ramp" kentauros Aug 2014 #45

Agreed... PA drivers are really bad with that. Glassunion Aug 2014 #53

And there's probably nothing that will cure them of that habit. kentauros Aug 2014 #93

Drivers who indulge in these kinds of bad habits... love_katz Aug 2014 #98

True. kentauros Aug 2014 #99

The police in my state did a sting, about a year or so ago, on people talking/texting while driving. love_katz Aug 2014 #103

Some are certainly egotists. kentauros Aug 2014 #108

There is a divide in terms of people who grew up with cell phones. love_katz Aug 2014 #111

I agree with you about that divide. kentauros Aug 2014 #112

Good analysis. love_katz Aug 2014 #129

Thanks :) kentauros Aug 2014 #133

Actually, I think most Americans would take this driving/racing show in the wrong spirit. love_katz Aug 2014 #150

On a trip to Ireland / UK I was astounded by how narrow the streets were. Glassunion Aug 2014 #151

Streets designed for the horse and buggy days. love_katz Aug 2014 #152

Nice little road in the SW of Ireland. Glassunion Aug 2014 #153

Pic is too dark for me to see the road itself. love_katz Aug 2014 #154

You're right that most Americans would misinterpret kentauros Aug 2014 #157

I've read articles about research that shows cell phone addiction tblue37 Aug 2014 #122

I can believe that. kentauros Aug 2014 #123

I've seen enough of em pass me on the left while on the phone and then swing right across 3 lanes... L0oniX Aug 2014 #61

I don't doubt that it happens with people on the phone, kentauros Aug 2014 #92

But I needed to tell DU if I was leaving or staying underpants Aug 2014 #37

!!! NYC_SKP Aug 2014 #49

In Ontario.. Canada the new law will be riverbendviewgal Aug 2014 #44

southbound from LA I saw a woman. practicing the trumpet. looking down at the sheet music on her MisterP Aug 2014 #50

A woman in my group was not so lucky, she was hit from behind waiting at red light, horrific, 6 AuntPatsy Aug 2014 #55

Ha, I am driving now as I type this--AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH--OMG what have I done? Vattel Aug 2014 #57

I have this friend... DeadLetterOffice Aug 2014 #59

K&R love_katz Aug 2014 #66

The assholes that piss me off the most are the ones that get on bullwinkle428 Aug 2014 #67

Agreed. This happens all the time. 3catwoman3 Aug 2014 #96

This happened at my son's school Tree-Hugger Aug 2014 #105

I see them while I'm on a bicycle. bikebloke Aug 2014 #69

Lining the highways with cell towers is like putting a bar at every stoplight KurtNYC Aug 2014 #74

Stop texting and walking too! I can't take it anymore! Glimmer of Hope Aug 2014 #75

+100 840high Aug 2014 #78

I agree Art_from_Ark Aug 2014 #85

I have seen... Tree-Hugger Aug 2014 #107

Carry a tennis, raquetball, or badminton raquet. kentauros Aug 2014 #109

Lol! It is a serious and dangerous problem though. I work in the busiest part of DC- Glimmer of Hope Aug 2014 #134

Oh, I understand it's serious and dangerous. kentauros Aug 2014 #136

its a plague everywhere drray23 Aug 2014 #77

Good and needed rant flamingdem Aug 2014 #80

I think you could leave it at: "the brainless are out of control" kentauros Aug 2014 #110

I expect this now...about one in 8 to 10... Stuart G Aug 2014 #86

Actually surveys show that 3 in 10 text while they drive and 1 in 2 talk on the phone. Glassunion Aug 2014 #90

Truly awful.. Stuart G Aug 2014 #91

I once had a card game with a passenger while driving Reter Aug 2014 #95

Before cell-phones kentauros Aug 2014 #113

Attention texting drivers The Wizard Aug 2014 #94

This message was self-deleted by its author A-Schwarzenegger Aug 2014 #100

I saw that earlier. kentauros Aug 2014 #114

This message was self-deleted by its author A-Schwarzenegger Aug 2014 #115

I just looked more closely at your link, and read that. kentauros Aug 2014 #116

I'd like to see a wire run down the median that blocks cell signals. Thor_MN Aug 2014 #102

There is some phone jamming/disabling tech available. moondust Aug 2014 #125

Not to mention being illegal. Thor_MN Aug 2014 #128

There was a guy in Florida busted for using a Jammer in his car n2doc Aug 2014 #142

Read about that. Thor_MN Aug 2014 #143

He deserves a medal. Glassunion Aug 2014 #144

Everyday on La Cienege at around 7:30 am abelenkpe Aug 2014 #106

Combine our limited (and quite narrow and twisty) roads up here - raven mad Aug 2014 #124

Agreed. If you text at a stop light or stop sign, that could lead to road rage. C Moon Aug 2014 #130

"Dont let LOL become DOA." ErikJ Aug 2014 #132

Saw this just yesterday .. madmom Aug 2014 #145

You are 100% correct. Glassunion Aug 2014 #146

There are reports of people walking off cliffs, bridges and piers. cbayer Aug 2014 #156

This was in a college town, so I'm guessing students, at least that age group for madmom Aug 2014 #158

In a busy city, you have to constantly dodge people, and when they cbayer Aug 2014 #159