Report: 7/10 Sacramento drivers instantly crash after road conditions change
ROSEVILLE — It’s a scene that is far too common these days: A smoldering, twisted mess of metal on the area’s roads and freeways. After a big rig collided with a van carrying a family of four, the victims were shocked and relieved that no one was hurt.
“I’m certain I did nothing wrong,” said truck driver Harry Harrison of North Highlands, “But, you know, a bird flew in front of my windshield so I thought to instantly yank the wheel to the left.”
A new study by the California Transportation and Highway Safety Board shows that 7 out of 10 Sacramento-area drivers polled believe the best way to deal with changing road conditions is to veer wildly on the roadway, mash the brake pedal, or floor the accelerator.
“I was driving home from work at around 5:30 a couple weeks ago,” said recent accident victim Susan McGinty. “I noticed that there was a bit of glare on the roadway from the setting sun, so I just started turning the wheel thing in front of me in a circle. Then the car flipped over! Can you imagine?”
CalTrans spokeswoman Felicia Sandoval said here are several things drivers can do to avoid accidents and collisions. First and foremost, those behind the wheel of an automobile should remain calm, she said.
“A car is not a magic good-times box that does nothing wrong, no matter what advertisements will have you believe,” Sandoval said. “Cars can and will kill you. Traffic cannot be avoided by slamming directly into the vehicle in front of you at full-speed, nor will your car magically jump over things if you honk the horn repeatedly. I can’t stress this enough.”
A website maintained by the National Highway Safety Board provides further tips:
- Nighttime is not an evil demon stalking your automobile. It is safe and prudent to make all marked stops and remain on the roadway even if it is not well-lit. Your car has headlamps for a reason.
- Cars do not grant wishes — no matter how hard you concentrate.
- Slamming directly into the back of a police vehicle is NOT what is known as a ‘traffic stop.’
- Water falling from the sky will not make you or your car melt. It is known as rain, and it is perfectly safe to operate a vehicle during this type of weather.
- Accelerating to 88 miles per hour will not cause your vehicle to travel backwards in time. There are no conditions where this rate of speed is safe.
- Pizzas cannot be delivered to your moving vehicle. It is best to remain off your cell phone completely.
- Forcing someone off the road is not a safe way to ask them on a date.
- ‘Road naps’ are not acceptable at any time; if you are tired, pull over.
- When you see cars with brake lights on down the road, it is not correct to accelerate towards the car ‘that looks most like a ramp’ in order to achieve ‘some sick hang-time.’
