Near Tragedy Today

[easysurfer]

Coming back from my sister's house I almost got involved in a tragedy today.

I was driving about 25-30 mph..when this kid about 11 years old didn't look both ways and decided to J-walk and starting running across the street. Good thing I saw him but had to hit the breaks, swerve away and blare the horn. He did finally see me and stopped and ran back to his mom. I missed him by about 10 feet or less.

Good thing I was focused on the road.

My subconscious must have took over as before realizing what happened I had already made the maneuvers. Luckily, my eyes were focused on the road.

To be honest...thinking of what could have been still has me a little shaken.

 

[W2R]

Whew, close call! Glad you were able to keep from hitting him.

 

[easysurfer]

Yes. Luckily, I had spotting him while approaching seeing that he looked one way, but didn't look my way and just started running across. I'm sure the spotting helped in my reaction time, even subconsciously.

 

[robnplunder]

Coming back from my sister's house I almost got involved in a tragedy today.

I was driving about 25-30 mph..when this kid about 11 years old didn't look both ways and decided to J-walk and starting running across the street. Good thing I saw him but had to hit the breaks, swerve away and blare the horn. He did finally see me and stopped and ran back to his mom. I missed him by about 10 feet or less.

Good thing I was focused on the road.

My subconscious must have took over as before realizing what happened I had already made the maneuvers. Luckily, my eyes were focused on the road.

To be honest...thinking of what could have been still has me a little shaken.

I worry about something like this can happen to me and thought about getting an umbrella insurance. My insurance company solicited me for the coverage - $50/month for $1M coverage.

 

[Meadbh]

Yes. Luckily, I had spotting him while approaching seeing that he looked one way, but didn't look my way and just started running across. I'm sure the spotting helped in my reaction time, even subconsciously.

Thank goodness you had good situational awareness!

 

[H2ODude]

If you'd been texting/phoning like half the people I see driving you'd have nailed him. Driving is something that requires full attention; well done. Once in a blue moon I'll just answer the phone and am stunned at realizing how easy it is to drift into danger.

 

[My Dream]

First thing that came to mind is you saved a life that day.

I know accidents happen but some come at a high cost. I can't count how many times I've seen people cross the street without even looking since they're glued to there cell phones. I know that wasn't the case here but am glad you were looking out. That person is soooo lucky and I can only imagine what the mother was thinking at the time.


Have a great weekend everyone.

 

[Moneygrubber]

I have seen this many times, no idea what is going on around them, when its dark all you see is the glow of the screen on their faces!

 

[Buckeye]

I worry about something like this can happen to me and thought about getting an umbrella insurance. My insurance company solicited me for the coverage - $50/month for $1M coverage.

That seems like very expensive coverage. I live in Florida and we get hammered on any liability insurance because we have so much fraud here. Our rate was $450 with my husband's fender bender on his record. Now without the fender bender, the cost has now dropped to $200 per year. Less than $17 per month for $1M coverage.

Also, we don't have any 'toys' that would drive up the cost of coverage.

 

[MichaelB]

Coming back from my sister's house I almost got involved in a tragedy today.

I was driving about 25-30 mph..when this kid about 11 years old didn't look both ways and decided to J-walk and starting running across the street. Good thing I saw him but had to hit the breaks, swerve away and blare the horn. He did finally see me and stopped and ran back to his mom. I missed him by about 10 feet or less.

Good thing I was focused on the road.

My subconscious must have took over as before realizing what happened I had already made the maneuvers. Luckily, my eyes were focused on the road.

To be honest...thinking of what could have been still has me a little shaken.

Good job driving.

 

[Dawg52]

That would be a hard thing to deal with even if one was not at fault. Glad you were alert.

 

[Jack_Pine]

I worry about something like this can happen to me and thought about getting an umbrella insurance. My insurance company solicited me for the coverage - $50/month for $1M coverage.

Agree with Buckeye, that sounds very expensive. I don't have my numbers at work but I know we pay a lot less than that for 1m of coverage.

 

[Sarah in SC]

Check out a quote from personalumbrella.com for some comparisons.

And good job on the sharp driving, there!

 

[ohyes]

How lives can be changed forever in just a few seconds. It is such an overwhelming, mind-blowing reality.

Glad you were alert with good reflexes!

 

[HFWR]

I always assume the other person - pedestrian, driver, etc. - is NOT paying attention...

 

[MichaelB]

I always assume the other person - pedestrian, driver, etc. - is NOT paying attention...

Important and hard, it is still easy to be distracted for only a moment, and that's all it takes for a tragedy. Strangely, I don't remember much from my high school days, especially the academic part. But I can recall just about every drivers ed class and the things we were taught are clear as day to me. So very helpful over the years.

To be honest...thinking of what could have been still has me a little shaken.

A less fortunate outcome might have left you in trouble with the authorities, which could lead to overnight jail. Then you'd be stirred, not shaken.

 

[easysurfer]

Important and hard, it is still easy to be distracted for only a moment, and that's all it takes for a tragedy. Strangely, I don't remember much from my high school days, especially the academic part. But I can recall just about every drivers ed class and the things we were taught are clear as day to me. So very helpful over the years.


A less fortunate outcome might have left you in trouble with the authorities, which could lead to overnight jail. Then you'd be stirred, not shaken.

So many things flashed through my mind in the matter of a second or two. First was chills up my spine bracing for a tragic impact, then brake, blare horn and swerve, then the less fortunate outcome. All in a flash.

 

[easysurfer]

How lives can be changed forever in just a few seconds. It is such an overwhelming, mind-blowing reality.

Glad you were alert with good reflexes!

So very true.

 

[gozer]

I'm glad things worked out. A second can change everything.

The scariest moment of my life involved a car and an ~4 year old kid. I was 21 and a senior in college. I had gone home for lunch. I had 10 minutes to get back to work. My car was parked in front of my apartment. There was a wide lane for cars to drive in and then another row of cars. Past that row of cars was a grassy area in the middle of the apartments. Two kids, one ~4, the other ~6 were playing in the grassy area. I saw them when I got in my car. I started the car, put it in reverse and looked over my shoulder to back out of my space. The older kid was looking at me with a completely expressionless face and I could no longer see the younger kid. They had been 70-80 ft away just a couple of seconds ago. The older kid was still there. Just a few feet to the left or right and the younger kid would be hidden behind one of the cars parked behind me.

The thought process in my head went like this. "There is no way the younger kid crossed the distance to my car, its only been 2 or 3 seconds since I saw him. He's behind one of those cars. I'm going to be late. Why is that kid staring at me? My girlfriend (today my wife) is right, I'm way too paranoid. Take your foot off the brake and get going, you are going to be late. Where is the little kid? Damn it, I gotta check."

I slammed the car in park and got out. I was pissed. I walked to the back of my car and found the little kid right behind my car with exhaust blowing in his face. He was picking up the little pebbles that had separated from the asphalt. I chased him off. After my hands stopped shaking I left and got to work late.

One paranoid whim is the only reason I didn't kill someone that day. 27 years later thinking about it still hits me.

 

[UtahSkier]

.

Good thing I was focused on the road.

I guess I should thank you... I was that kid 40 years ago. Still think about it from time to time.

 

[easysurfer]

I guess I should thank you... I was that kid 40 years ago. Still think about it from time to time.

Lady luck was on my side. For example, having both hands on the wheel instead of just happening to use my radio or touch my GPS. In precious seconds...the little bit can make all the difference.

 

[Options]

I worry about something like this can happen to me and thought about getting an umbrella insurance. My insurance company solicited me for the coverage - $50/month for $1M coverage.

It's the very reason I have umbrella insurance. Of course, I live in lost angeles, where every other person is a lawyer with license plates like "i su u".