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I thought this was well written and honest. But based on the description of that second accident, the author was absolutely at fault. Never swerve into oncomin

I thought this was well written and honest. But based on the description of that second accident, the author was absolutely at fault. Never swerve into oncoming traffic… take the hit. But I understand that’s easier to say than decide in the moment. I hope technology can continue to make driving safer so those decisions are easier to make or don’t need to be made.

watersb 5y ago
I had to take the hit about ten years ago. A large animal crossing, cars close behind me, oncoming traffic... and my two kids in their car seats, in the back seat. I had to risk a 200+ kg deer coming through the windshield. If it had been a human on the road, I don't think I'd be able to control my reaction to avoid hitting them, no matter the situation. Not time to think much.
- heelix 5y ago
  I came very close to taking a hit. Was working with a flight instructor on some instrument training. On landing, a deer broke out and took that as an opportunity to cross the runway. Speeds were way too low for me to throttle up and pull up, though that was my first inclination. The grizzly veteran shouted "Fly through the deer!" I did... the deer did not make contact, and we did what constituted a great landing - someone else could use the plane again. Yanking back on the stick would have likely stalled us out for a bad landing. Words stuck with me for driving, etc. Fly through the deer.
  - tobmlt 5y ago
    Wow. I learned to fly in high school. God I can just picture it. “Fly through the deer!” I’d laugh all the way into orbit after getting out of that one in one piece.
bsder 5y ago
People always overestimate their agency in panic situations. Unless you have significant training, your actions in panic situations are rarely better than random. I have had a couple situations where it seems like I made incredible decisions that worked out great. I like to remind myself that "boxcars comes up twice in a row" does not mean I'm a God and that "snake-eyes comes up twice in a row" does not mean I'm a moron.

watersb 5y ago

I had to take the hit about ten years ago. A large animal crossing, cars close behind me, oncoming traffic... and my two kids in their car seats, in the back seat. I had to risk a 200+ kg deer coming through the windshield. If it had been a human on the road, I don't think I'd be able to control my reaction to avoid hitting them, no matter the situation. Not time to think much.

heelix 5y ago
I came very close to taking a hit. Was working with a flight instructor on some instrument training. On landing, a deer broke out and took that as an opportunity to cross the runway. Speeds were way too low for me to throttle up and pull up, though that was my first inclination. The grizzly veteran shouted "Fly through the deer!" I did... the deer did not make contact, and we did what constituted a great landing - someone else could use the plane again. Yanking back on the stick would have likely stalled us out for a bad landing. Words stuck with me for driving, etc. Fly through the deer.
- tobmlt 5y ago
  Wow. I learned to fly in high school. God I can just picture it. “Fly through the deer!” I’d laugh all the way into orbit after getting out of that one in one piece.

bsder 5y ago

People always overestimate their agency in panic situations. Unless you have significant training, your actions in panic situations are rarely better than random. I have had a couple situations where it seems like I made incredible decisions that worked out great. I like to remind myself that "boxcars comes up twice in a row" does not mean I'm a God and that "snake-eyes comes up twice in a row" does not mean I'm a moron.