One's dead, one lives. How come?

The Indianapolis Star ^ | December 27, 2003 | Terry Horne

[Samwise]

Still sore and shaken, Emmanuel Kiwanuka wondered Friday why he lived and a good Samaritan died after a sport utility vehicle struck them as they were changing his tire on Christmas morning.

"One's dead and one lives. How come?" asked Kiwanuka, 55.

[Samwise]

The bad drivers are tag-teaming now. I know a woman who was T-boned on the intersate last year. The responding police officer had her sit in his squad car to warm up and calm down. She was hit by another car while sitting in the squad car.

[clee1]

People need to slow down, put down the cell phones, turn the stereo down a little bit, put on the makeup at home, read the newspaper when they get to the office, and pay attention to their driving.

[DB]

This is just plain nuts.

[backhoe]

From 1991 until 1999, I ran John's Wrecker Service around here, and there was hardly a call I dreaded more than "Road Service"-- changing tires, jumping a battery, etc.

The first thing you learn is "never take your eyes off the road"- because the road is what carries things that can get you killed- careless, inattentive, distracted drivers.

About the second thing I learned was a reinforcement of a Driver's Ed maxim from long ago-- people tend to steer the cars towards where their eyes are looking... like at the revolving lights on the wrecker...

[Smokin' Joe]

Pull the assisting vehicle up at least a couple of car-lengths behind the disabled vehicle.

Park it so it is out in the road a little, enough to provide a 'shadow' to work in.

Most vehicle drivers will see and avoid a parked vehicle, even at night. Not so with people.

[Imal]

So I guess it really IS dangerous to change a tire on an interstate, after all.

May I suggest AAA?

[Tax-chick]

Kiwanuka said he knew changing a tire alongside a busy highway was dangerous. At least three of his friends had been struck by cars while changing tires in past years, he said.

Okay, so he couldn't learn from that observation ... do you think the NEXT time he has a flat, he'll decide not to change the tire on the side of the highway, or is having someone killed right next to him still not persuasive enough?

[not_apathetic_anymore]

I'm baffled as to how this can happen so often, but I believe it.

I had a flat about a month ago. While I was waiting for AAA (actually a long wait) I'd bet at least 10 times a vehicle passed frightenly close to me whle I was on the shoulder. It was a cold day, otherwise I think I would have gotten out of the car and waited a distance away from it.

[Samwise]

Those are good tips!

[Samwise]

Indiana has had several state troopers killed along highways. The law was changed so that drivers must move to the left lane to pass a police vehicle at the side of the road. Most people still don't do it, though. They don't even pull over for emergency vehicles very often.

I partially blame the legislature. We don't have to take driving tests when we renew our licences anymore. At least people had to read the manual every 4 years when we had to be tested.

And then there's the right turn on red. Argggh. People don't stop, nor do they yield to oncoming traffic. Right turn on right would work if people were good drivers, but they have turned into a bunch of rude, me-first idiots.

[Amelia]

People need to slow down, put down the cell phones, turn the stereo down a little bit, put on the makeup at home, read the newspaper when they get to the office, and pay attention to their driving.

In driving over the holidays, we saw at least 2 instances of people talking on cell phones who slowed considerably at the wrong time, and almost caused a pileup.

[Ditter]

It has been years since I had a tire go flat while highway driving but I will never pull over & fix it on the side of a busy road. I will creep along on the shoulder till I can safely get off the road, even if I ruin the tire & the rim. That is preferable to having someone (me or a stranger) killed while fixing it. I carry a can of that tire inflating air for quick fixes too.

[Newbomb Turk]

I have changed tires on an 18 wheeler along the interstate. I will drive it on the rim before do that again.

Once a state patrolman with us had his hat sucked off by a truck that zoomed by us within inches as we worked.

That truck driver got a very intensive 4 hr DOT inspection about a mile down the road.

[Lancey Howard]

Kiwanuka, a native of Uganda who moved to the United States in 1974, said he knew changing a tire alongside a busy highway was dangerous. At least three of his friends had been struck by cars while changing tires in past years, he said.

This statement is incredible.

[backhoe]

they have turned into a bunch of rude, me-first idiots.

That's the heart of the problem- careless operators. Many people who will blanch at the idea of picking up a loaded gun think nothing of piling in their car and haring off down the road without a second thought about how many foot-tons of energy are under their control.

Probably the single most dangerous thing anyone does on an average day is drive the family car- you not only take your own life in your hands, you place yours at the mercy of every other driver you encounter.

[Fifth Business]

Kiwanuka, a native of Uganda who moved to the United States in 1974, said he knew changing a tire alongside a busy highway was dangerous. At least three of his friends had been struck by cars while changing tires in past years, he said.

Glad I don't know this guy.