A little shaken up here....

[minisaremighty]

We've had snow/icy roads here for a couple weeks now. She was stopped at a stoplight on her way home from work in her brand new subaru outback. Some woman was driving a dodge truck and slammed into the back of her. She is ok, but EXTREMELY shaken up (as am I and I wasn't even there!). I think her car may be totaled.

I'm thankful that she is ok, saddened that her new car (which she really loved) is ruined. Thankful that if it HAD to happen, that it happened on her way home, not on her way TO work, because she takes my two oldest girls to school on her way to work.

I just want to warn those of you who think you are invincible in your 4x4 trucks and suvs that just because you can go fast in the snow with ease and keeping it under control, you can NOT stop fast just because you have 4WD. Doesn't work that way. I've had SUV's since 1992, so I'm not new to them, but I have ALWAYS respected the fact that 4WD truly means nothing, it's your own personal driving skills that matter.

I'm an awesome winter driver, have no fear of driving in the snow because I'm GOOD at it. I respect the driving conditions and because of that, I have NEVER had a problem. Well, EXCEPT when someone else hits me because they are NOT skilled at winter driving. That is my only fear, is being hit, not my losing control. Even when being hit, I've maintained as much control over my car as possible, steering it out of further harm's way.

PLEASE DRIVE SAFE!!!!

Now I'm going to go wait for mom to get home (she's being towed home, the body shops are all closed). I'm so glad she lives with us, I try very hard to not take that for granted. I know I'm very lucky to see my mom every day and spend as much time as I get to with her. Losing my dad so many years ago, I learned to seriously appreciate all the time I get with my mom.

 

[MInx]

I can tell this upset you a lot and I'm glad you're mom is ok. My daughter and family went off the road on ice on way to church Sunday. All fine but messed up van and now repair bill they can't afford so time for much care in this waether.

Maxine

 

[minimule]

Glad your mom is OK.

My husband always says "it is 4 wheel DRIVE, NOT 4 wheel STOP". We have idiots here that have no clue how to drive on snowy/icy or even wet roads.

 

[Valerie]

Thank goodness your Mom is ok, but sorry it had to happen at all. Yep, too many people think 4x4 means, I can do anything...hah.... we have a 1 ton Dodge 4x4 and believe you me, I drive it with the same respect I would drive any other vehicle. People need to slow down with the road conditions, be it snow, ice, or rain, it never ceases to amaze me how stupidly people drive. I am very thankful your Mom is ok, all in all, shaken up is not good either, but atleast she isn't in the hospital. Hugs to you all.

 

[Sterling]

I'm so glad to hear that your momma is ok...wow that would shake anybody up. We've always had trucks in our family and never take for granted the ice and snow on the roads. Always drive with care...AND drive defensively.

 

[Farmhand]

Hope everything turns out OK. Hope your Mom is well.

 

[justaboutgeese]

The fact that your mom is fine is most important. Cars can be repaired or replaced. So lets count this as a blessing and be thankful the outcome was good for her.

 

[Miniv]

Good Lord, Kath.......Your mom must be truly shaken! Glad she's okay.

Are the roads getting that slick now? Or was the pickup driver a total idiot????

(Maybe a combination of both?

)

I've been out several times today and with studded tires on the mini van, driving was fairly good on the major roads here......

MA

 

[Relic]

That's a shame about your mom and her car. Yes people are idiots on the road.

 

[minisaremighty]

Mom got home just a bit ago. She's much better now. I was really concerned because she is overweight (an issue we are working on) and was afraid it might cause a heart attack or stroke

As for the other driver, I'd say she is just an idiot??? They had been inching along in traffic for quite a while at this one stop light and somehow the distance became great enough and the woman stepped on her gas too much???? Not sure. She was 43 and mom said she looked like death warmed over. The address on the report was in a heavily drug infested part of town. The police were not done with this woman when they told my mom she could go and the other woman was getting HIGHLY frustrated and I'm not sure what was going on. Maybe she was on drugs, who knows.

MA, the roads are still pretty bad in lots of Bend. They never got them plowed right away on many streets after that first snow and it was just a sheet of ice under the snow. Just be careful, there are tons of idiots out there. Unfortunately they outnumber us non-idiots by far! LOL!!!

The damage is pretty bad to the car, but it IS just a car. We will deal with that tomorrow. Just glad to have mom home safe and sound.

a

Thank you all so much for your kind thoughts.

I love this place! It's so nice to have such a nice group of caring people to lean on when support is needed!!! Thanks Mary-Lou!!

And just remember to drive safe and watch out for those who aren't!!!!

 

[lyn_j]

[SIZE=14pt]Kathy so glad your mom is ok. I came to Va from Upstate NY and have had more than my share of skids and spins! Everyone needs to be careful out there![/SIZE]

Lyn

 

[ChrystalPaths]

thank heavens she's ok but in the morning she'll feel pretty bad so baby her

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Kathy a word from the wise- no-one goes through that and gets out without whiplash. Get your mother to a Dr first thing in the morning. A friend of mine had this happened and was never able to work again- it ruined her life, more or less. The symptoms did not show up for three weeks. She needs a check up now- a massage from a very good trained sports injury therapist, and another check up in three weeks time. And keep all the bills- if this woman has insurance, that is exactly what it is for!!

I am so glad she was not hurt badly, it is always worst of all when you know there was nothing you could have done to avoid it.

Unfortunately the world is never short of Morons!!!

 

[Jill]

I'm happy your mom is okay.

Harvey is on his way to work now

We're having a snow and ice storm. He's using one of our 4 wheel drive vehicles, which in my book, means nadda on ice. I'll be happy when he calls to say he made it in.

 

[minisaremighty]

Thanks all!!

Mom seems fine, but I'm going to take her into the Dr., just because (she's not thrilled

). She's 62 and hasn't been involved in an accident in 25 years, when the last person ran into her! She's a very safe driver, but you can't help what else is on the road.

She got of the phone with the insurance co. Turns out she doesn't have rental insurance, sooooooo they are trying to get the other ins. co. to pay. Fortunately the woman did have insurance. Lucky there I guess.

Anyway, if you have only one car and you live in wintery conditions, you might consider adding rental on your insurance (I just did). We'd be up a creek if someone hit our car, as we only have the one right now and no money to pay for a rental. When we are able to get a 2nd car, then we'll take the rental off.

Thanks for the kind words and words of advice.

Hugs!

 

[Tobey]

Glad to hear she's doing well. Hope her Dr visit turns out great!

 

[Sanny]

I'm so sorry to hear about this and am glad she is OK.

What amazes me even more though is when I am driving along in my big 4 wheel drive SUV or our even BIGGER diesel crew cab truck and I am driving WAY TO SLOW for people in little tiny cars that are flying along going way too fast for the weather conditions. I will be doing the speed limit and they will pass me fish tailing along in their little car in a big hurry to get wherever they are going. If they went out of control and either rear ended me or cut me off and I couldn't avoid hitting, they would probably be dead while my big vehicle would probably hardly be affected.

Makes me crazy that so many people can be very careful and safe on the roads and one idiot driver can ruin it all for them.\

Edited...I thought about my post and realized I don't think I was clear about what I meant -- the woman that hit her was being really careless and not paying attention and I know exactly what you mean about people that drive 4 wheel drive vehicles that think they can't stop and turn and everything else better than other drivers - they can't.

I took a long time to say what you summed up in one sentence in your original post.

And just remember to drive safe and watch out for those who aren't!!!!

 

[shane]

god its makes you realise at times like this how invinsable we all are,i drove a landrover county the last time we had bad snow over her and i turned the corner didnt excelerate and it just slid down the road and into the back of a car thank god i was only going2 mile per hour and noone was hurt but it really shook me up i hate the snow for driving conditions, make your mum a nice cup of tea and thank god shes there to enjoy it , happy holidays pheww

 

[CKC]

I'm so glad your Mom is ok. Taking her to see a dr. is a good idea.

 

[nootka]

So glad she's doing ok.

Right about the driving/vehicle.

Doesn't matter what it is, one needs to be aware of the road conditions and drive w/a space cushion and keep apprised of all that is going on around them.

I hate that people even in good weather don't allow space cushions, they see it as an opportunity if you leave even a few seconds' space between you and the car ahead!

In icy weather, it's really bad news. We have had a bit of a cold spell around here and our friend w/the two truck says he's been kept hopping by people who just don't pay attention to the temperature and the fact that there are still bits of frost on the roads in the shaded curves though the majority of the roads are clear and dry.

This time of year seems the worst. I can't tell you how many silly little accidents we've seen, but so far, none have been fatalities, thankfully. I know it's just a matter of time. I love the snow, but hate to hear of the accidents.

Update us on mom when you have a chance and so happy she is ok though the car isn't.

Liz M.