Blah Blah Cafe, the Jean-Michel Jarre forum

[mathetes1963]

On the way home from work this evening, I was involved in a hit-and-run motor vehicle crash. The other vehicle, a dark or black sports car or coupe -I couldn't tell, it was nearly midnight- pulled alongside my vehicle (a '93 Mercury Villager SUV) and just stayed there, not moving...not a very safe position for either of us. Assuming this individual was on their cell phone or otherwise distracted, I pulled ahead several car lengths and moved to the adjacent lane in front off him, not aggressively mind you, just out of his way. Well, no sooner than I do this, the other motorist is on my six, so close I can barely see his headlights. Both vehicles are traveling in excess of 60mph (100kph), so clearly this is an unsafe situation also. After about 5 miles or so of this, it becomes clear this individual is being deliberately reckless, so I tap my brakes to persuade this person to move (there were 3 other open lanes), but he's not budging. I tap my brakes again, he keeps riding my bumper. At this point, I kick the brake sharply, and I hear his tires squeal as he spins out and see his back end heading for my passenger side door- impact, leaving a huge dent in it. As I pull off the to the curb, I can see his brake lights in my rearview-clearly, he had completely lost control of his car, with oncoming traffic close behind. Concerned the other motorist is hurt, I try to make out his car across the highway. In the time it takes me to draw a deep breath, unbuckle myself and get out of the car, the other driver has fled the scene. The highway patrolman didn't cite me as being at fault, and said to tell my insurance company it was a hit and run.

So, not how I wanted to kick off the holidays. I thank God, Who was certainly there with me, that I chose to buy the Villager (a gas-guzzling tank of a car) rather than the Nissan Altima I wanted, otherwise I don't think I'd have gotten home. Good news is, the car is still drivable (though the passenger door won't open), and apart from some soreness in my back I'm alright. $$$ permitting, I may see my chiropractor on Monday. Freaked me and my poor wife out, but could've been much worse; had she been in the passenger seat at the time, she would have been hurt. Again, thank God!

[(Unknown)]

That is good that you are ok.

[Firecobra22]

You Americans are a bunch of reckless fooles. Can't you for once leave each other alone. I'm glad you're still alive, but this is what I keep telling everybody: Americans are aggresive, although they don't admitt it themselves.

[Antigoon]

Question...

Why didn't you yourself change lanes so he could pass you?

Overhere it's illegal to block the way for faster drivers behind you, I'm assuming the law is the same overthere...

(ofcourse, he could have done the same also ofcourse...;-/ )

[(Unknown)]

Question...

Why didn't you yourself change lanes so he could pass you?

Overhere it's illegal to block the way for faster drivers behind you, I'm assuming the law is the same overthere...

(ofcourse, he could have done the same also ofcourse...;-/ )

If he drove too fast when he hit there is no excuse...

Anyway good to hear that you are all fine. My brother was involved in a harmonica crash (or whatever you call it) some time ago. His 3 days old Skoda Fabia was damaged so he will get a new car.

[(Unknown)]

Yes, glad you're ok.

Sounds like a movie... might just be that all things American do to me.

[(Unknown)]

in my opinion, it is wrong to call all Americans reckless fools. the way I see it, it wouldn't have helped to get out of the way of the other car driver, he would have caught up and do the same thing over and over again.

But as most of us already mentioned: glad you're OK

[(Unknown)]

Hm...makes you wonder why some drivers have a driving licence at all?

Licking the rear bumper like that in such a speed is pure madness.
Glad to see that gaurdian angels were with you'll that night
...hope your back will be allright.

[Jon]

Glad to hear your OK.

However, it would appear that you could both be at fault for the crash. Though the driver behind you was wrong for tail-gating you in the first place, if 3 other lanes were free of moving vehicles, why did you not move into one of them. By deliberatley putting your brakes on so the driver behind you would move from your bumper, you became a contender towards the accident. If that happend here in the UK, you would have been done for reckless driving.

P.S - I worked in the accident repair buisness for almost 15 years, seen some pretty horrendous accidents in my time.

[mathetes1963]

For everyone who's asking:

Yes, I did change lanes. Several times. He was right there behind and wouldn't budge each time. If in my fatigue I didn't mention that fact, then I apologize, I could barely keep my eyes open when I wrote (about 3:00am). Remember I'm about 6-7 hours behind most of you folks.

[Kanta]

Happy to hear that you are okay, mathetes1963. Hope the experience has not unsettled you too much.

[Velodynamic]

By deliberatley putting your brakes on so the driver behind you would move from your bumper, you became a contender towards the accident. If that happend here in the UK, you would have been done for reckless driving.

P.S - I worked in the accident repair buisness for almost 15 years, seen some pretty horrendous accidents in my time.

That's funny, because in this country I believe you doesn't have any specific responsibility regarding cars behind you, except when you're about to change lane or turn to other associated roads.
At 90 km/h (≈56mph) you must keep a distance corresponding the lenght between the light poles (aprox 30-40 m / 100-130 feet) to the traffic infront of you. Even more at increased speeds.
If a car is too close behind you, all you can do here is keeping your current speed.
You have no responibility helping the vehicle passing by, but kicking the brakes is a bit over kill...
So, any swede reading this correct me if I'm failing.

I think I'd have hit the throttle leaving the bastard in the dust.

[Jon]

By deliberatley putting your brakes on so the driver behind you would move from your bumper, you became a contender towards the accident. If that happend here in the UK, you would have been done for reckless driving.

P.S - I worked in the accident repair buisness for almost 15 years, seen some pretty horrendous accidents in my time.

That's funny, because in this country I believe you doesn't have any specific responsibility regarding cars behind you, except when you're about to change lane or turn to other associated roads.
At 90 km/h (≈56mph) you must keep a distance corresponding the lenght between the light poles (aprox 30-40 m / 100-130 feet) to the traffic infront of you. Even more at increased speeds.
If a car is too close behind you, all you can do here is keeping your current speed.
You have no responibility helping the vehicle passing by, but kicking the brakes is a bit over kill...
So, any swede reading this correct me if I'm failing.

I think I'd have hit the throttle leaving the bastard in the dust.

Or do as Mr. Eddy does in David Lynch's "Lost Highway"--Let them pass then get on their tail, bash in their rear fender and when they stop pull them out of the car and beat the shit out of them...not what I would do but I'm talkin' about Mr. Eddy.

And Firecobra22 when you are talkin' about American drivers are you referring to my French friend who drives a Jeep Cherokee, or this Indian guy I know who drives a 300Z or maybe my Australian friend in the Hybrid Prius..or maybe you just mean Chinese drivers...

[(Unknown)]

I'll have to watch that movie again, very soon.

[Jon]

Or Spielbergs first film, DUEL . . . . . . . . . but you will need a large tanker truck for this.