[quote=eavesdropper][quote=bearishgurl][quote=walterwhite]Speaking ofjimmy Carter I had an urge to buy a Carter era 1978 honda civic.[/quote]
scaredy, I hope you’re using that for a moped around your property and not letting your kids take it on the road. I saw an entire family of four perish in front of my eyes in one of those after being broadsided by a Ford F-150 pickup when they were making an (unwise) left turn. Those cars were “tin cans” in that era.[/quote]
Right you are, BG. I had a ’79 Civic – it was my first brand-new car, and I loved it. But I hit the right rear bumper of a similar-era full-size Ford Bronco – a real behemoth – with the left front of my car. He was stopped, and I was moving at 10 to 15 mph, and it still crumpled up my quarter panel like an accordion. Not a dent on his.
Didn’t stop him from suing for $100 grand for “grievous injuries” to his head, neck, back, legs, abdomen, blah, blah, plus serious mental distress. In fact, that lawsuit took its place on the docket beside 3 others he had going at the same time, and countless others he had “settled” in the prior five years. Poor guy just had the *worst* luck when he was out driving…..But I digress….
I’m not sure that there are many compact, or even mid-size, sedans or hatchbacks that would fare well after being t-boned by the full-size pickups that are so prevalent in suburbs and cities these days. I am an extremely defensive driver when out in mine. But, also being a motorcyclist, I am well-acquainted with boneheads who make ill-advised left turns in front of me at the last-minute. The ability to perceive depth and distance is one of those handy driving skills that seem to have been swapped for facility at dialing voicemail or texting.[/quote]
Lol, eavesdropper, I don’t drive MC’s but can relate to your situation WRT winding two-laners w/blind curves and stop signs blocked by trees (all abundant in your area). Of course, you, as an MC driver must be constantly on the defensive.
This accident happened when the Civic (“Hatchback”) was turning left (west) onto “South Bay Pkwy” which is now known as “SR-54” from Sweetwater Rd (just west of the SV swap meet). This turn was coming from an uphill direction (slow). I was headed eastbound to my caregiver’s house to pick up kids after work. The pickup t-boned it in the lane in front of and to the right of me, going about 45-50 mph. This caused the Civic to split in half and the rear passengers (children) to be ejected. After the accident, the local news warned viewers repeatedly that these cars had been known to split behind the back seat when hit broadside.
Having driven in snow and ice in treacherous conditions, I have seen a LOT of things happen on the road. I’ve also witnessed two other multiple fatals on this road prior to it becoming a State Hwy. But I’ll never forget this particular one.
