I wanted to share this last week, but couldn't figure out how. Thanks to all of you gave out instructions again.
My younger brother actually survived this accident. They had to use the jaws of death to get him out. He had to wait 2 hours trapped in that thing with his leg jammed inside. He was air evac'd to a hospital 2 hours away. They thought his lower body was crushed. He actually had the other truck sitting on top of him, with its weight on his leg.
My brother was going the speed limit of 60 mph and the other driver, 20 years old, worked for the same company, ran a stop sign because he was on his cell.
My brother survived with minor injuries to his right leg. Actually, we don't know how bad it will be. But that he survived at all, is truly a miracle. This was a brand new Mack truck before the accident.
It sure put a spin on my perspective regarding my own problems.
I'm so glad your brother is o.k. I'm guilty of talking on my cell
phone while driving too. I try to limit my usage, but it only
takes a split second for something tragic to happen.
Phatgirl2
Oh my gosh, that looks nasty, I'm so glad to hear that he is ok. Wow.
Your brother has a guardian angel!! He was extremely lucky to be alive!! I see people all the time driving and talking on their cell phones weaving in and out of traffic. Makes a person stop and think. I want my 18 year old daughter to ck these pictures out. So sorry Deanna!!
I wish him a speedy recovery with his leg.
C
HANG UP THE PHONE AND DRIVEI pull over when I use cell phones to dial. I must admit - I do drive and talk but now that I take pain pills - I rarely drive. I am very conscientious about driving under the influence of anything. That is due to all of my experience in medical emergencies. Your brother does have a guardian angel and I bet he appreciates every day of his life from now on. By the way, I bet he loves his big SIS.
PS The majority of accidents I have been on and there have been many over the years have been 20 or less year old drivers. Very frustrating. They speed and do not consider consequences. The park I worked in had several roll over accidents on a road that people walk on, 15 mph speed limit. It made me want strict restrictions on young drivers Wow! I was a paramedic for many years and saw accidents like this all the time where people didn't survive. Your brother has an angel looking out for him. I wish hima speedy and full recovery.
It is illegal to talk and drive where I live and you will get ticketed for it. I totally agree with restrictions for young drivers. There are none by law up here, but when the next one of mine starts driving (in about 6 months she can get her permit) the restrictions will be put on by me. I want her to live to get to culinary school and I want other kids to live to realize their dreams.
Alright now.....I have to defend.....Being a "younger driver" :| Don't anyone take any offence to this, please. But at least where I live, most of our accidents are caused by older drivers. :/ I can't even count how many times I've been run off the road here, and rear-ended(fender-bender no police called style) by older drivers. And I don't mean like...50 year olds. I mean 80 and 90 year olds. It's very frustrating, and our area has many many restrictions on our younger drivers, but it's not helping the number of our accidents. Why? Cause for once it's not us!! I can count on one hand how many times a year we have highschoolers involved in a "bad" accident. I'm 23 and have NEVER had a wreck, and neither have ANY of my friends. It all depends on the area you live in. Please don't make such broad generalizations. :( I'm sorry to rant, but we are CONSTANTLY blamed for wrecks here, and 80% of the time, no one involved is under 80. It's just very very frustrating. Maybe it sounds extreme, but when people start slamming "younger drivers" it makes me think "hmm...so this is probably a hint of what racism feels like" But it's true, I won't lie.
Deanna - I heart you dearly. I'm so sorry your brother was in such a terrible accident. He was meant to live, that's all there is to it! Justin's (my b/f) mother was hit by a woman talking on her cell phone. His mother was WALKING on the street. The lady saw the red light, but didn't stop in time, she actually ran UP THE SIDEWALK TO AVOID RUNNING THE LIGHT. :| I try not to talk on my phone while driving. It's not illegal here, and when I *have* to, I use an earpiece, and never dial while driving. I can see both sides of the story on that one I suppose.
I don't want anyone to think I'm taking this stance because I'm "still so young" I've been living on my own since I was barely 17, and have had enough real life experience to know what I'm saying. I'm just speaking as someone was so severely discriminated against(in this area) while growing up. It would take a lot to change my opinion at this point. I really think its an area specific thing. Each city/state needs to do their own thing to control drivers. For "kids" like me, lets not make it national. There are GREAT young drivers out there! I promise!
(they just all live in my town...LOL)
I <3 you all!
Katie
Katie,
Didn't mean to imply anything against younger drivers. In the state of New Mexico, where my brother lives, you can get your license at 14. My brother had to make a split second decision that ended up saving both of their lives. If he had continued straight, they both would be dead. He turned his wheel to the left towards an empty field. But then this young man, panicked and stopped instead of continuing to go forward. Otherwise, they might not have hit. As it was, my brother's head hit the back of the other guy's truck.
Experience from many years as a truck driver enabled my brother to make that decision. But when you boil it down, how could it be anything else but God intervening? Both could have been killed. Every time I look at these pictures, I am still impressed with the fact that my brother survived this. It looks like there was this one precious place that protected him.
They've now implemented new saftey measures in place to make sure this type of accident doesn't happen with this company again. It scared all of them. The young man is the son of the owner. I'm sure that he's been driving for many years.
In PA, where I grew up, they now have graduated licenses which put restrictions on younger drivers. When my sister went through, she had to have her permit for 6 months (you can't get your permit before age 16). Then you have a junior license which means a curfew (11:00 I think). When you have your license for a year or so with NO violations, you can be out later. If you have violations, the curfew doesn't get lifted until age 18. For those who are 16-17 and work past curfew, extensions based on paperwork from your employer are given. I know this doesn't solve the problem, but it helps by making sure there are incentives for good driving (not to say everyone follows it). There are also age limits for carrying passengers. Within a few months of having her license, my sister ran a stop sign and hit a car and a house. She also ran into a neighbor backing out of her driveway (not my sister's fault, but could have easily been prevented, had she been paying attention.) My parents placed serious restrictions on her; dad was a cop, mom an ER nurse, so they've seen how these things can end up. Now I think she is more cautious, but some people just don't realize how one moment can change their life or someone else's. It's okay, I just hear it soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much around here! He's 20 and driving a big rig, and talking on a cell phone...either way he should be smacked for it. Even if he was 50 he should be smacked! Because that's just not being smart. *humph* I'm glad they both came out okay though. Here, you can't even get your permit until you are 16, and that's only if you take a semester of drivers ED. Otherwise you have to be 17!! At 16 you cannot drive after dark even WITH someone else in the car(you always have to have someone else anyway), and at 17 you can only drive until 10pm(with someone else in the car) You have to have your permit for 6 months before you can APPLY for your license, and you have to score a 90% or more on your comp. quiz to get it. Even if you're 17 and have a license, you cannot drive after 10pm unless it's in the summer, and you're coming from work. WHEW! So you basically can't be a "real driver" until you're an adult!(legally..) And yet they like to claim that it's the 16 year olds causing the wrecks... WHEN!?!? They're never on the ROAD! LoL But all of that aside, I really feel for you, I'm so glad to hear that he's okay now :)When I talk about young drivers I talk about the really young drivers. Those that are just getting their licenses. I was a paramedic for many years and there were times that I pulled more youngins out of wrecks than anything else. Most teenagers think that they are 10feet tall and bulletproof and drive like it and don't have the experience to get out of their own way to avoid an accident. It's an exciting milestone in life when anyone gets their license. I feel that there are less injuries and fatalaties with accidents now because of the safety measures and devices that are in cars now. I still will put restrictions on my daughter when she drives.
We had a high number of losses in my graduating class from car accidents. But that was over 20 years ago. Things have changed. I can see where the elderly cause more accidents where Katie lives since people retire to Florida. We have more DUI's and drunk driving accidents up here because there is literally a bar on every freakin corner.
We do not have Drivers Ed in the schools where I live. We get to pay anywhere from 0-600 for driving school.
My sister-in-law just got rear ended at red light by a 19 year old who wasn't paying attention because he was changing his CD. He was so scared that his dad was really gonna kill him cuz he hit a Mercedes.
LOL I swear I didn't even think about the retirement population..haha but that makes sense. I'm not defending young drivers everywhere - by far! But they're not like that all over. I promise! Our young drivers are SO threatened here. It's just not even fair. They get more tickets for going 5mph over the limit than anyone I've ever known! I just don't see why places don't make kids do drivers ED. That's so silly! You can't plop someone in a car and go "Here. Gas. Brake. Steer. Have fun" Argh. Sorry to make this such a heated topic. It's really sad, we have so many smart and friendly and INTELLIGENT teens here, and the community, for the most part, likes to belittle and curse on them. They're going to turn them into the kind of kids you DON'T want if they're not careful. Unless you play football or are a cheerleader. Then it's all okay. Then you can smoke pot all weekend, and not do homework and still get all A's - and you can drink and drive and when you get pulled over, the cop usually knows your daddy and you get to go home. These are all the same people who live in 0,000 to 3 million dollar houses. I have some pent up hatred....sorry...
Gramma, I TOTALLY understand where you're coming from. I have a whole theory on america's youth. We won't get into that. :) Unless you want to...haha There's a time and a place for everything!
<3 Katie
I would say "Amen is Right" Deanna. The Angels were truly with your brother. I am so glad he is ok.Deanna - Glad your brother is ok.
Hey I have ONLY a driver's permit LMAO!! And I am 27. I got it last year on my daughter's 7th b-day. I just did not like cars. I was in an accident with my first boyfriend and we wrapped around a tree and borke my nose. I was already afraid of being in a car before then, but after that I did not want to driver EVER!
So, now here I am 27 and just starting to learn how to drive. I drive some places now with hubby in the car with me, as I only have a driver's permit
I did take Driver's ED in high school, but after that ONE time I ran off the road a little looking at a mommy cow pooping on her baby cow while it was feeding, Mr. Mac would not let me drive anymore. But it was ok, as I was scared to drive anyways, as the year before I had that accident mentioned above. Oh, and I also liked to close my eyes while driving when I thought I was going to hit someone
One day I will get enough courage up to get my actual driver's license LMAO! Just needs to be before July 2009 (when permit expires)
He has a scar (he calls it his chick magnet, my brother is not good looking as he will admit) on his forehead where he hit the other guy's truck with his head. No other damage there. His right leg has some deep gashes all soft tissue damage which looks like they are going to heal alright. They are going to do a MRI as soon as the swelling goes all the way down to make sure there's no other damage.
The other guy walked away without a scratch.
Amazing!
Katie and all young drivers,
Don't even get me started about the older drivers. It is just I did not deal with them hardly ever because I worked in a park that the younger drivers liked to "party in". That was half my job, confiscation alcohol from underage drinkers and writing MIP citations. I hated it because they were good kids but they were dangerous
OK I will keep my opinions to myself. I am sorry I started this controversy on your thread Deanna. It was just my meanderings.
I think it is interesting to see how deeply passionate we all feel about this subject. Controversy is not necessarily bad. Neither is conflict of different opinions. It is what makes life interesting. It's when it turns only to insults that I think we have a problem.
We have a great deal of diversity on this site. I like that. I like that we get the view of those very young people who have been dealing with this disease all their lives and those of us who are thrown off because it has attacked us when we are just starting to get the swing of things.
This accident was a split second thing. Any of us could have made the wrong decision in that moment. It doesn't matter how long we have been driving.
Maybe we feel so passionate about this is because we put ourselves out there every day not knowing what our real risks are. When you think about it, it is amazing any of us gets home safe some days.
LOL I heart you roxy.
It's not a big deal, I like a healthy debate. :) I have to disagree with you on the male/female thing!! Can you imagine? LoL Whenever I get mad at a driver, because they do something stupid, or whatever...99.9% of the time..ITS A WOMAN! I curse my own kind when I drive! LoL How backwards is that?? It doesn't help that we have so many tourists here, who come from so far away. They all drive differently, and the mix of it really causes some ugly wrecks. So this is what I've learned...lol... People from Arkansas do NOT care who else is on the road. People from' Tennessee slow down to look at EVERYTHING. People from Lousiana are the least curteious(sp) drivers IN THE WORLD. Georgia people always try to get behind someone from Alabama. Ohio drivers always have minivans, and drive 20mph under the limit. Missouri drivers do a pretty good job of blending in. And last but not least...out of all the common states we get....I LOVE NEW YORKERS AND TEXANS. They are never in the way, they always do the limit, and they seem to always have a damn good idea of where they're going before they leave! LOL!
In Oregon, Californians are very disliked. I can't wait to get my OR plate but no money. I have a right to be here - I grew up here - at least part of my childhood
I also lived in AR. In AR, they don't care what anyone else is doing period - LMAO.
My opinion - Female drivers are only better when they are younger. When guys mature, their driving improves and I think women get distracted easier. Looking in mirror, talking on phone, distracted by all the responsibilities that most women have...........
It is true, I notice a difference in driving when I travel from state to state. I admit, I suck in rush hour traffic, especially on bridges with a lot of interchanges. They scare the hell out of me. One time I was driving to Portland to see my brother, it was pouring down rain, I could not see, only streaks from headlights, it was at night. I was amazed. People are still going fifty five, bumper to bumper, pouring rain, on bridges. I wanted to just STOP. I just followed the streaks lmao. I am careful not to drive in Portland in rush hour - LOL
I love you too Katie
I'm not gonna lie, I've *almost* been in a few wrecks. But for some reason, when I'm in a car, it's just an extension of me. I've never been taught how to use non-anti lock breaks or how to drift(slide) or how to get out of mud or anything like that - but if I'm in MY car I can do all of it. My old car had old breaks and no one bothered to tell me how to use them...it was raining one day, and I started to hydroplane..and I dunno..I was in a right hand turn lane, and there was someone in the crossroad, trying to turn. If I didn't do SOMETHING I was going to t-bone her. So I started pumping the break and I slowed, but not much, so I did what the video games taught me, I hit the breaks and cranked the wheel and the second I was side ways I floored it. :) Scared the hell out of the lady, but I was MILES from the side of her car, and in perfect line with the road I needed to be on. LOL I just love cars...what can I say!
As far as older men being better drivers...can you tell that one to my dad please? Haha He is the SCARIEST driver I've ever known. And yet he's almost 50 and has NEVER had a wreck. He's just lucky is all. Very, very lucky.
In WI, the IL drivers are very disliked and will get pulled over and ticketed before they will pull a WI driver.
The women drivers up here are just horrible. Drive 30mph over the speed limit and tailgate you so close I should just hand my steering wheel over to them!
I don't care if a driver is male or female. If you do something dumb, I'm gonna yell! My husband once bought me a sticker that said "Horn broken watch for finger" .
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