How not to roll your vehicle…101

We’ve all made mistakes in our lives and in most cases, they were minor enough that we could get over them in a short period of time. I was brought up to respect other people and not to do things that would inconvenience other people. Were you brought up the same way? When I make a mistake that affects no one but me, I try to learn from it so as not to do it again. What helps us make those smaller mistakes and avoid the larger ones is thought. Making early choices and using logic will often allow us to reduce our mistakes; but what if you’re a risk taker? Do you think early enough about your impending actions to reduce your mistakes or risks? Do you consider your mistakes actual mistakes or do you think of them as life?

The driver in this photo made a mistake that was a little too costly for him. The damage to his vehicle was probably too much for him to continue to drive the vehicle again. His insurance rates would most likely go up and he’ll probably have to buy another vehicle. By the way, he rolled his vehicle on a freeway onramp while trying to enter the freeway. My family was approaching that area just after it happened. Was it an error of not looking where he needed to go or was it related to speed? Maybe it was both. What’s the hurry to go around a corner anyway?

I’m pretty certain he knew he made a mistake, but is he aware of the actual mistake? Is he aware of what he needs to do differently to avoid making that mistake again? The suggested ramp speed is not a penalty for drivers; it’s for safety of you and other road uses. It allows you to maintain control and traction while going around the corner as it reduces the energy or momentum. On dry roads you may be able to drive just a hair faster than the posted speed, but if the road is wet, you should get your speed down to the suggested ramp speed to maintain your traction since your energy is forcing you forward instead of making your go around the curve.

Another possible mistake was that he was not looking where he needed to go. As most people realize, where you look is where you go. Was this driver looking down to the freeway toward his left instead of looking toward his right along the onramp where he wanted to go? Can others learn from his mistakes? I would certainly hope so. Luckily, no one was hurt with these mistakes. However, there is next time…