Almost killed a pedestrian last night

[speeder]

I hesitate to post this, it really freaked me out. Maybe it will do someone some good(?)

So here's what happened. I'm driving home from DTLA last night around 10pm. For locals, I'm heading west on 3rd street just past Alvarado and St. Vincent's hospital where the street does a little S bend, (quick right then left, continuing straight). There are two traffic lanes in each direction on 3rd street plus parked cars on curb. I'm in the right hand traffic lane going into the bend with a black SUV next to me and slightly ahead on my left.

As we enter the bend, both going about 30 mph, the SUV slows slightly and drifts hard into my lane. I'm pulling some 30 mph G's to the left and have to completely lock my brakes to avoid contact, (by maybe 2"). It's instinctual when someone is pulling into your lane with nowhere to go on the right, (parked cars), to stand on brakes. My little car managed to somewhat keep in the curved lane w abs churning.

As this is happening, in slo-mo/warp speed, I see some poor bastard unlocking or locking his driver's door 10 feet ahead of me. He has no time to react to the screeching tires and horns bearing down on him but to sort of press himself up against his car. I somehow manage to steer around him during this but miss him by inches. I swear that God or something was on his side, I came thisclose to killing him. As it's happening, I'm reflexively screaming at the other driver and the kid I almost hit screams, "fuch you!" I don't blame him.

I catch up to the SUV at the next light and I'm livid, adrenaline pumping. My window was already down and I'm telling them to lower window. There is a big guy in the passenger seat so I'm really talking to him, can barely see the driver. I unload on him and he mutters a weak, "sorry". Then I see the driver, young woman with ear buds in engrossed in her iPhone. Just when I might have been cooling down, I fire back up and rip into her. I'm so angry that I think I'm going to explode. I tell them that I almost just killed someone because of her and to put down the phone and watch the ******* road.

It freaks me out just thinking about it. I missed him by seconds and inches. Sometimes it can happen that easily. Of course I'm examining my own part in it, (the only part I have control over), should I have been driving slower, (wasn't speeding but at the limit)?

Anyhow, had to vent.

[rwest]

I always try my best never to be next to another car, but not always possible in tight traffic.

There needs to be a complete ban on using cell phones when driving.

[stomachmonkey]

Our community is dealing with this.

One of the moms was texting.

2 Women, 2 Children Killed in Denton County Head-On Crash | NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

[speeder]

It's been a bad week for pedestrians here.

Mother, daughter killed by driver while crossing street in West Hills identified - LA Times

[Baz]

This phone crap needs to stop.

Isn't it illegal in CA?

I know little by little new laws are slowly trying to address the issue but in reality cops EVERYWHERE need to stop ANYONE using their freaking phone while driving.

I'm on the road every day here and not a day goes by without seeing some loser on their phone while "trying' to drive.

[Baz]

BTW.....this issue hits home so much for me I shot this pic the other day while in Port Orange....never saw a sticker like this and was impressed.....

[Tobra]

Glad nobody got hurt. Sometimes Denis, you do everything right, and somebody dies anyway. Even though it would have been her fault, if you hit that kid, it would eat your ass up.


A cell phone is worse than booze, least drunks are still looking around

[Bill Douglas]

I'm pleased you didn't squash the guy Denis

Not the same, but I had a situation last week...

I was sitting in traffic waiting for the light to change when Wham a motorcyclist hit my car. He was wedged between me and a trailer being towed by a car movements truck. He was yelling instructions for me to move forward so his bike wasn't wedged in which I did, then we stopped around the corner. He looked at my car and immediately said "I didn't do that". I just said "Don't worry about it I'm just pleased you are OK? How's your bike?" He dropped the offensive and offered to pay for my car. I just said not to worry as it's on it's last few years of life anyway... And we checked out his bike. What had happened (I suspect) is he was lane splitting and forgot he had panniers on his big BMW and hit the trailer and got stuck on a 45 degree angle against me. Again, just as long as the guy was OK, I was OK about it all.

[Oh Haha]

Being in commercial trucking as a driver and manager I have learned skills that I wish were taught to everyone. They are pretty basic but are well worth knowing.

Yes, I talk on my phone whilst driving but I pay more attention to the road than the conversation as well as keeping it as short as possible. I never text while driving.

My kids have a few years before they take driving lessons but I already lead by example when in the car. Don't get me wrong, I let my feelings be known if we see someone doing something dumb or unsafe.


Glad that you didn't have a worse outcome Denis.

[snbush67]

Ugh! Glad it worked out for everyone. Were you actually forced over the white line out of your lane? Or, was the guy opening up his car door in the lane of traffic?

Just wondering because the guy going to open his car door should have been paying closer attention it seems.

[id10t]

Just started teaching my oldest how to drive. First words out of my mouth are "Keep your head on a swivel, everyone is an ******* and they are either out to kill/maim you or get killed/maimed by you - always drive defensively"

[Corvus Corvax]

Denis, I'm glad you and the poor pedestrian are OK. Cell phone use is the reason I don't ride any two-wheeled vehicles near traffic any more. Sold my motorcycle after some near missed involving inattentive drivers. Stopped riding bike on the streets because of two incidents where cell phone users nearly ran me over when I was riding legally, during daylight, in the highest-vis clothing that you can buy. My kids know better than to use a cell phone in the car. If I catch them (I own the phones, so I get to look at them every time I demand to) having used the phones during their drive, it's a month suspension of driving privileges AND no social outings. GROUNDED. So far, each has only needed one lesson. And I will admit that I entrapped my youngest by sending her a text right after she left the driveway. Yes, I am a mean dad.

[snbush67]

In a few years cars technology will catch on and we wont have to pay attention anymore. The machines will take over.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by snbush67

Ugh! Glad it worked out for everyone. Were you actually forced over the white line out of your lane? Or, was the guy opening up his car door in the lane of traffic?

Just wondering because the guy going to open his car door should have been paying closer attention it seems.

I was basically forced into the parked cars but managed not to make contact by inches. The guy did not have his door open, he was either locking or unlocking his car. He was doing nothing wrong and had every right to be where he was, when he was. It would have just been a tragic accident. A perfect storm of bad things happening at once.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Glad nobody got hurt. Sometimes Denis, you do everything right, and somebody dies anyway. Even though it would have been her fault, if you hit that kid, it would eat your ass up.


A cell phone is worse than booze, least drunks are still looking around

No kidding. My mom always told me when I was a teenager, in regards to driving, that if I ever hurt someone I would never forgive myself. I hurt my brother once in an accidental situation but due to negligence/thoughtlessness and I still can't forgive myself 40+ years later.

WRT last night, if I'd hit him and even felt 5% responsible, I'd want to kill myself. I know of people who killed someone while DUI and forgave themselves a little too easily, IMO. I don't understand that.

[Brian in VA]

I came VERY close to hitting a little kid once in our old neighborhood. Little guy decided to run across the street to get to the pool faster, never mind my car in the road as I was just starting to accelerate. Stopped short of him by inches.

Where was mom? Walking along the roadside with her head down staring at her phone. Other people had to shout at her to get her to get the kid out of the road. Sad.

[85eurocarrera]

I'm not a bumper sticker kind of person, but seriously considering putting some type of 'hang up and drive' sticker. Also a 'stay off the white line' shoulder as well. I'm sick of these fuchers!

Glad everyone is all right!

I hope you reconsider the whole killing yourself comment. I don't know how people (like ones on here) who loose their children and continue on, but they do thankfully. Gives me hope that I could get through something so horrible.

[DanielDudley]

Sounds like you might feel better if you took a safe driver course, but given the circumstances, you did everything right. I always try to have an escape zone somewhere around me, but it isn't always possible. You could thank your higher power, or you could actively proclaim that it is always your intent to be a safe driver and to preserve life and property.

Intent guides our actions on every level. The SUV driver wasn't very intent on driving safely. You were. If there is anything you can learn from this incident, you will figure it out. I promise you that this will increase your vigilance in DTLA a great deal, and you will also learn some things from that.

I'm glad everybody is OK. Remember that.

[sc_rufctr]

Nice vent and you did the best you could.

But it could have been a lot worse. Imagine if you had hit the guy and the SUV had driven off.

Get a dash a cam!

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Not the same, but I had a situation last week...

I was sitting in traffic waiting for the light to change when Wham a motorcyclist hit my car.

Had the same situation last year driving back in thought from a funeral in another state.
Hurricane rain conditions. Blinding.
Took an uphill off-ramp exit and was a bit surprised when I skidded at the stop sign.
"Whew. That was close."

(Shame on me for not being attentive to the rear-view mirror.)

Blam! Rear ended.
We pulled over and traded paperwork.
Old mercury with an 'old guy' driving.
At least 60 years ofbvery hard life, and looked like more.
A couple teeth left in his gums wearing a jacket pulled fresh from the dumpster.
There was something else there.
Respectfully. Apologetic. He was not a knucklehead. Believe me I can size a man up.

Nothing in his paperwork or his story made sense.
It was an immediate arrest for him on the spot.

I had made the same mistake on the ramp.
"Ok. Let's forget about it. Have a nice day. Drive safe."
I drove off while he waited.