CRASH COURSE

More Americans have died on US roads since 2006 than in World Wars I & II combined

There is tremendous risk afoot here in following up the previous Crash Course, entitled “Dumb Driving,” with another one here called “Dumb Driving Part II.”

The risk is that years from now we may be on “Dumb Driving Part LDCXVI.” surprise that it can breed even more brainless activity in people who get too close to a tailgater.

It could end up like the Super Bowl, where nobody even knows what the numbers mean anymore.

DUMB DRIVING Part II

But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s put all that behind us (literally) and talk about tailgating, one of the all-time stupidest driving habits ever invented — and we aren’t talking about just the tailgater either. Tailgaters can also breed stupidity among tailgatees. It’s a practice that is so intensely boneheaded that others nearby are often infected, even if they’re vaccinated and wearing a mask while driving.

Let’s address the obvious imbecile first, the one doing the tailgating. He (or she) has enough trust in the driving skills (and mental stability) of a complete stranger that he is content to follow behind that unknown driver so closely that any sudden slowdown or stop will result in a collision.

Depending on the speed involved at the time of the wreck, the consequences can range from a brief police report and insurance claims and repairs all the way up to massive fines and lengthy prison sentences. Yes, sometimes people die in rear-end collisions.

Why do people tailgate? Intense scientific research has determined that tailgaters are usually ignorant, entitled, impatient jerks. How else can you describe it? Oh, you would add irresponsible, thoughtless and foolish?

Points well taken. Of course, tailgaters would argue that none of those descriptors apply. It’s the people driving along at 35 in a 45 who are the idiots. Tailgating is meant to prod them into speeding up.

That hardly ever works.

Tailgaters are in a hurry. Everyone gets that. But tailgating is a great way to arrive at a destination sooner in the same way that sitting in first class will get you to your destination airport faster than sitting in coach. Entire seconds may be saved.

As infectiously moronic as tailgating is, it’s no

Shortstories

THE HARDEST TRUTH I EVER TOLD A PATIENT An older couple who had been married something like 50 years were my patients. They were both ill at the same time. They were on the same unit about 4 doors away from each other. Every day after breakfast I would walk the gentlemen over to his wifes room.

She was very ill with pancreatic cancer and her time finally came. She passed away at about 7:15 one morning.

He kept asking if he could visit her and nobody wanted to tell him. We cleaned her up, took out all of the IVs etc.. cleaned the room and I walked him down there. Just before he went in I told him his wife had passed away during the night. He sat at her bedside for 2 hours talking to her, saying goodbye.

He thanked me for telling him the truth and we both cried. He passed away three days later.

It can happen in a number of ways. The driver of the lead car can easily become distracted, so fixated on their rear-view mirror that they fail to notice traffic stopped in front of them. Seconds before they feared being rear-ended; now they are doing the deed. And by law it’s their fault.

In another common scenario the tailgatee can likewise transform himself from innocent victim to guilty perpetrator. Thats when he or she decides to “brake-check” the tailgater. “That will teach him to back off,” they think. They believe that the rear vehicle is always at fault, so even if a collision ensues, it will be the tailgater’s fault.

Not so fast. Cameras are everywhere these days. If it can be established with video evidence that you, the tailgatee, deliberately caused the collision (there are laws about “unsafe stopping,” for example), you can be held liable. Brake-checking is a form of road rage.

Even if the tailgater is found to be at fault, brake-checking is an extremely dangerous and immature stunt. The tailgater could be enraged by the collision (or near-collision) and have a gun in his car. Your car could be pushed across the center line into oncoming traffic. Your car could be demolished by the collision and insurance settlements will not be sufficient to purchse an equal replacement. Your injuries could be severe, with lifelong side effects. You and others could even be killed by an accident that you deliberately caused.

Tailgating will vanish forever if drivers do one simple thing: when the car ahead of you passes a marker — perhaps a crack in the pavement or the shadow from a telephone pole — you should be able to count off at least three seconds before you pass that same point. If not, back off a little.

The next time you’re tailgated — theoretically, it could still happen if some people don’t read this article — keep the focus on your safe driving. Slow down a little. Give the person an opportunity to pass. Pull over at a safe place if necessary. It won’t cost you a penny, or more than a few seconds. Even better, it will keep you from being a dumb driver.