Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/89721
Collisions Making the best of a bad situation If, despite your best efforts, you can't avoid a collision, it's best to hit something with give. "You're better off hitting a small bush than a bridge pillar, for example," says Wilson. "Always look and steer for an out. As a general rule, dodge trouble by steering to the right, away from oncoming traffi c." If you're sitting in traffi c and it looks like someone is going to hit you from behind, apply your brakes so that you're not pushed into traffi c, and press your head fi rmly back on the head restraint to minimize the chances of injury. If you're about to get hit from the side (a T-bone collision), keep two hands on the steering wheel and try to turn so that the other vehicle hits you with a glancing blow. What to do post-collision in Alberta In 2010, there were 344 fatalities and 18,253 injuries resulting from collisions province- wide, according to Alberta Transportation. Top driver errors resulting in casualty collisions: 1. Following too closely: 31.3% 2. Running off the road: 14.6% 3. Performing a left turn into the path of another vehicle: 11.7% "If it looks like you're going to get hit from the front, again, try and steer for a glancing blow, because that minimizes damage," says Wilson. "Also, in any type of collision, if you can reduce your speed, you'll reduce the force of impact." If possible, safely move the vehicle or vehicles off the road and switch on your hazard lights. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately. If you have emergency hazard markers, put them out. And remember: in Alberta, you must notify the police of a collision if there is damage over $2,000, if there are any injuries, or if there is any damage to traffi c control devices. Wilson advises drivers involved in a collision to take a few deep breaths to collect themselves, and to not get into a discussion about fault. "Fault is really not for you to decide at that point," he says. "Give the information to the police and the insurance com- pany and let them work it out." Top driver errors resulting in fatalities: 1. Running off the road: 95 fatalities 2. Crossing the centre line: 49 fatalities Most crash-prone time of year: Fall. The highest number of casualty crashes occur in October and the most property damage from collisions results in November. Most crash-prone day of the week: Friday. And the worst time of day is the afternoon rush hour. LEARN MORE ONLINE Take AMA's Winter Driving or Emergency Manoeuvers course to keep your record collision-free. ama.ab.ca/winter-course; ama.ab.ca/defensive-course (illustrations) Kveta/Three-in-a-Box WESTWORLD >> NOVEMBER 2012 47