I took my eye off the road just 2 seconds
By kingparker
@kingparker (9673)
United States
January 22, 2013 3:10pm CST
You can imagine how dangerous it could be, even though I wasn't in the highway. While I was driving home from work, I saw a sign on the road stating "Clearance sales". It was just about 2 seconds, the Honda Civic in front of me suddenly slow down and need to make a right turn to a shopping center. I suddenly have to step on the brake really hard, and my car was jerked back a bit. Luckily, I didn't lost control of it. But from the rear view mirror, I could see smoke rising up from the rear tires. I could also smell the burning of rubber. I was sweat and scare a bit at the moment. Then I kept on going. Just imagine, I only took 2 seconds off the road, it might cause an accident. My personal experience from today, and an advise, do not text and drive, it can be that dangerous. I might have to check my car, and the brake system on the next oil change.
9 responses
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
23 Jan 13
A lot of people I know follow too close to the car in front of them. Could you have been too close that it didn't give you enough time to stop? I've seen this a million times and have warned my daughters against this too.
When you are driving you should give yourself 1 car length in front of you to each 10 mile per hour. If you are going 40 miles per hour, then you need at least 4 car lengths in front of you to stop safely.
No one should text and drive. You will kill yourself for sure.
@intelinsideyou (664)
• India
30 Jan 13
Well that is a good point noted by you and yes actually many people have habit of following front vehicle very closely. May be they are over confident of their driving. But its one of the major reasons for the accidents. There should be some reasonable gap between the front vehicle and yours one so that you could get that extra time to put brakes on.
@Archie0 (5636)
•
22 Jan 13
You seriously were text-ing while you were driving?You should admit your mistake then. I know how dangerous it is as i had once done a same mistake and even met a small accident. I have seen so many people talking on mobile phone while they are halting on traffic signals or in traffic. This is completely wrong, you cannot be at two places at the same time. So why do two work at a time?
@Raine38 (12257)
• United States
23 Jan 13
And that's the reason why I don't take calls and more so do not text or even read it while driving. I don't even look down to fiddle with my stereo or iPod. If I really have to make or answer a very important call, I would get out of the main thoroughfare, look for a less busy street or alley and stop for a bit long enough to do whatever it is that can't even wait. Of course I have to make sure that the alley is not deserted nor creepy. We can never be too sure, right?
Anyway, thank goodness for your quick reaction. Rear-ending a car is a big pain.
@intelinsideyou (664)
• India
30 Jan 13
You are lucky to escape from that as 2 seconds are enough to create a difference in this case. And always check your brake system from time to time because your safety largely depends upon it. After all its the matter of seconds so if your brake system is good, like in this case,you have that extra bit of time to save yourself.
•
23 Jan 13
There are lot of distractions on the road. That's why it's very important that you always keep your eyes on the road. It may cause something bad like accidents, and may cause your life too. Your experience has taught you well. And may you not experience this anymore:). Be careful while driving....
@xocolatedrool (414)
• India
23 Jan 13
2 seconds of negligence is more than enough to cause an accident. you can hurt yourself and also others.
so if you dont care for your life, its fine, just take care of other people.
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
22 Jan 13
I tend to zone out when I'm driving and look all over the place and my boyfriend yells at me for it if he's riding with me. I don't know why I do this either, I take after my dad he does the same thing. But when the weather is really bad I stay focused quite a bit and won't even talk to someone that's in the car with me. I'm glad your ok and didn't get into an accident. But your right I see people driving and talking on their phone all the time and sometimes I want to write down their license plate number and turn them in but not sure if that's the right thing to do. I hope your car is ok
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
23 Jan 13
Thank goodness, you're safe!
It is really not advisable to be doing other things when driving. And yes, the eyes should always be glued on the streets.
Also, drinking and driving doesn't mix. And if one is sleepy, one should never drive. I had an experience about 7 years ago when I went on a vacation. I was seated beside the driver on a public transport. He was driving fast. The street wasn't busy. But then i noticed him shutting his eyes for a few seconds. I was really terrified. He was soooo sleepy. I swear my heart was beating so hard that you could see my shirt move! I told my friend that we should get off before anything happens. He was laughing at me and said that I am too nervous. But who wouldn't get nervous when the van was moving at 100kph and the driver was only half-awake?
It is really not advisable to be doing other things when driving. And yes, the eyes should always be glued on the streets.
Also, drinking and driving doesn't mix. And if one is sleepy, one should never drive. I had an experience about 7 years ago when I went on a vacation. I was seated beside the driver on a public transport. He was driving fast. The street wasn't busy. But then i noticed him shutting his eyes for a few seconds. I was really terrified. He was soooo sleepy. I swear my heart was beating so hard that you could see my shirt move! I told my friend that we should get off before anything happens. He was laughing at me and said that I am too nervous. But who wouldn't get nervous when the van was moving at 100kph and the driver was only half-awake?
@TLilly12 (1229)
• United States
22 Jan 13
This is really dangerous, when some one stops, suddenly in front of you, and you have to make sure, you don't hit them, from the back, I hope your car, checks out alright next time, you get it checked out.
