The Victoria traffic incident thread

[Baro]

Every time I've narrowly escaped death as a pedestrian or cyclist it's been the classic "soccer mom" driving a high-end SUV (while talking on her phone or yelling at her kids). I now give them the same treatment as veteran plates and give them a wide birth and extra attention.

[LJ]

I don't think soccer moms are middle aged, unless you think mid 30's is middle aged.

[sebberry]

Tow truck catches fire in Langford

A Westshore Towing Ltd. truck caught fire Sunday on Goldstream Avenue. Two fire engines responded to the situation at 655 Goldstream Ave. and successfully vanquished the fire, said Lt. Kim Reach of the Langford fire department.
“We managed to put the fire out in quick time,” he said, adding that there were no injuries. “The tow company was there to pick up the vehicle and a small fire had started.”


Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/tr...#ixzz20jMChMhq

[sebberry]

Motorcyclist in critical condition after collision with Smart car

A 63-year-old motorcyclist is in critical condition after colliding wtih a Smart car that was making an illegal turn onto Market Street from Douglas Street.

The 87-year-old driver of the Smart car was travelling south on Douglas about 5 p.m. and turned left onto Market. The impact of the motorcycle spun the small car 180 degrees.

[...]

Read more: http://www.canada.com/Motorcyclist+c...#ixzz218MY73D5


This part gets me..

Officers on the scene point to the sign that clearly shows left turns are prohibited between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Police regularly target the area to crack down on illegal left turns and they expect to be setting up again soon after the latest crash.

If you're constantly enforcing it and people are constantly breaking the rule, is a knee-jerk reaction to enforce more really going to help? At some point they have to say "this isn't working, we need another approach".

[martini]

Originally Posted by sebberry

Motorcyclist in critical condition after collision with Smart car



Read more: http://www.canada.com/Motorcyclist+c...#ixzz218MY73D5


This part gets me..


If you're constantly enforcing it and people are constantly breaking the rule, is a knee-jerk reaction to enforce more really going to help? At some point they have to say "this isn't working, we need another approach".

I saw the car and bike. The car didn't look damaged at all from my view. The bike...
The front wheel was quite bent and the whole bike was pretty mangled. He's gotta be hurt bad.

[sebberry]

Driving into the side of a car at 50kph can't be too easy on the body. Hopefully he pulls through.

[martini]

Originally Posted by sebberry

Driving into the side of a car at 50kph can't be too easy on the body. Hopefully he pulls through.

The worst one I saw first hand was a bike slamming straight into he side of a car making a blind left turn. Burnside and Jutland years ago.
They managed to reconstruct his face. He was ok surprisingly. I didn't think he was going to survive seeing that impact.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by sebberry

If you're constantly enforcing it and people are constantly breaking the rule, is a knee-jerk reaction to enforce more really going to help? At some point they have to say "this isn't working, we need another approach".

Almost one month to the day that an elderly driver caused the big crash on Blanshard.

What about mandatory drivers tests every six months if you are over age 85?

[martini]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Almost one month to the day that an elderly driver caused the big crash on Blanshard.

What about mandatory drivers tests every six months if you are over age 85?

We were just discussing that tonight. We came up with a yearly exam after 75.

[Baro]

The seniors lobby always protests that as "ageist" or some nonsense. Then goes back to their condos with strict age controls.

[Holden West]

Originally Posted by Baro

The seniors lobby always protests that as "ageist" or some nonsense. Then goes back to their condos with strict age controls.

I've been on the receiving end of more bad driving by the younger age group than the older one. Surely you wouldn't mind being tested regularly?

[Mike K.]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Almost one month to the day that an elderly driver caused the big crash on Blanshard.

What about mandatory drivers tests every six months if you are over age 85?

And about two years since an elderly driver rammed through the airport's taxi stand killing one individual.

[martini]

Originally Posted by Mike K.

And about two years since an elderly driver rammed through the airport's taxi stand killing one individual.

I recall another one a few years ago. Spectacular drive through an upper level parkade? Was it around Jubilee? My memory is hazy.

[aastra]

It was a small medical building on Oak Bay Avenue, wasn't it?

[martini]

Originally Posted by aastra

It was a small medical building on Oak Bay Avenue, wasn't it?

Yes thank you. I believe that was an elderly driver as well.

Seems to be common for mistaking the gas for the brake.

[sebberry]

As one local driving instructor pointed out, it isn't necessarily a problem with "confusing" the gas for the brake, it's frequently due to the lack of muscle tone required to move the foot from the gas to the brake quickly enough.

[Mike K.]

...and driving with two feet!

You won't believe how many elderly drivers drive with two feet for the very reason that they have trouble moving from one pedal to the other.

[sebberry]

Originally Posted by Mike K.

...and driving with two feet!

You won't believe how many elderly drivers drive with two feet for the very reason that they have trouble moving from one pedal to the other.

I've done that accidentally. Loaner car, hitting the brake pedal with the force I normally use for the clutch pedal. Fortunately nobody was behind me.

[martini]

Originally Posted by sebberry

As one local driving instructor pointed out, it isn't necessarily a problem with "confusing" the gas for the brake, it's frequently due to the lack of muscle tone required to move the foot from the gas to the brake quickly enough.

Hadn't considered that.

But in the airport case and the recent Blanshard one...didn't they have their foot matted to the floor? Hence the speed?

[Baro]

Originally Posted by sebberry

I've done that accidentally. Loaner car, hitting the brake pedal with the force I normally use for the clutch pedal. Fortunately nobody was behind me.

What the heck is a "clutch" ?!?!

[sebberry]

It's that pedal you push so you can change gears

And before you ask about the arrangement of numbers on top of the gear stick...


.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by martini

Seems to be common for mistaking the gas for the brake.

I once had hit the gas inadvertently when my foot slipped off the brake pedal. The soles of my shoes were still slippery after entering the car from the rain. Fortunately, I didn't have an accident.

[sebberry]

CFAX is reporting a camper on it's side on the Pat Pay at Sayward.

There was a three car crash at Pat Bay and Haliburton a few days ago.

This is where I would normally insert some sarcastic IRSU comment, but sadly I've used them all up sooner than expected.

.

[Sparky]

Not a happy camper I assume.

[martini]

^