- - - - - CAR CRASH INVESTIGATIONS - - - - -
GREEN LIGHT TO DISASTER
It had not been a good weekend for 24 year-old Jason, who was running late for work early that fateful Monday morning. His football team had lost for the third time in a row, his dog got hit by a motorbike and his girl friend had threatened to dump him, unless he controlled his heavy drinking.
As Jason sat, waiting for a green light on a major Adelaide arterial route, his mind was on the football match the night before. He was familiar with the intersection, having driving through it every working day, after gaining his driver's license five years prior.
Besides a couple of minor collisions Jason never had any serious crashes. By now he drove like a pro, or so he thought. But even pros have to concentrate and apply their best driving skills and knowledge, when behind the wheel.
| The
traffic light, which was about to change to green, was
also going to change Jason's life forever!
Two drivers were waiting for the red light to change. >>> Only one (the bus driver) could see clearly to his right. Seconds to disaster! |
|
Approaching the same intersection 49 year old Chris had been behind the wheel of his Esso tanker all night. He was looking forward to discharging his 9000 litres of fuel and catching up on some sleep, which unfortunately he had missed the day before. Between celebrating his only grandson's third birthday party and driving his tanker to Adelaide left very little time for sleep.
At exactly 7.27 AM the two men's path's crossed - at the same time at the fateful intersection. Approaching at a speed of approximately 55 kilometers per hour, Chris was well within the 60 km/h limit. However, the traffic lights changed to amber at a very awkward moment. In a split second he had to decide, can I stop safely, or will I continue through?
After having driven all night, mostly on the open road, Chris' reaction time was slow. Had he braked decisively, immediately, he possibly could have brought his dangerous load to a halt.
During the 1 1/2 second window, in which Chris failed to act, his rig moved 22 meters closer to the intersection. It was now too late to stop. Chris noticed the red light, plus a small sports car about to .... Horror!
Unlike Chris, Jason in the other doomed vehicle, was alert, eager to get to work on time. Also, unlike Chris', Jason's traffic light went straight from red to green, no amber phase in between!
The bus driver beside Jason could clearly see that the big petrol tanker was not able to stop easily. He was in no hurry to move off, even after the lights had turned green.
But Jason was in a hurry; and did he move off! It was the worst mistake of his life. To not lose any moment Jason was not so much watching his (red) light, but that of the cross traffic. He knew, as soon as that turned amber, it was his turn.
Impact imminent!
 |
Right on the green Jason revved his 3 liter engine and plunged into the intersection! Two seconds later, perhaps even less, he was buried by the fuel tanker, his sports car dragged about 150 meters along South Road. Luckily, there was no explosion.
It would certainly have meant the end of both drivers, and, God knows, whoever else would have become an innocent victim? |
The bus driver could see the approaching tanker. Jason couldn't. Seeing green he jumped into disaster. Jason had not only watched his traffic light, but knew that after the amber on South Rd his light would change to green - a bad habit!
Luckily Jason survived. It took him 3 years of hospitalization and rehabilitation, plus a number of driving lessons (with me) to get back behind the wheel of a motor car. The truck driver was treated for shock.
Verdict: Green means GO, but only after checking, if other traffic saw the light and is able to stop safely, before you enter the intersection! Professional driving Instructors teach: When the lights turn green, wait for two seconds* and check if it is safe to move off!
*Some countries show an amber light for two or three seconds before green. This virtually says: Get your vehicle ready, (engage gears, release handbrake) green will come in two seconds! Move off then!
About the author:
Dieter Fischer, a German born Australian, taught thousands of people to drive during his almost 30-year career. He was a pioneer in online road safety, establishing his first website in 1998. He and his wife were married in 1971. They have four grown-up children and live in Adelaide, South Australia.
Road Rules on this site may vary in your part of the
world. We urge new drivers to undertake on-road lessons with a
professional driving instructor.
Site by Dieter Fischer, Revised 2020.