Oh wow, it never occurred to me that even if you had seen Memento, you wouldn't remember it -- what a dumb-ass question. Memento was perhaps the strangest film I have ever seen, told forward and backward simultaneously, that is, one storyline started with the end and finished at the beginning, while the other moved forward normally.

I admire your attitude toward life. You must have a very caring and loving wife.

 

No worries. My Wife said it hit close to home for me, and it was awhile back.

 

Its okay, even my closest friends and family sometimes "forget" that I dont remember things. My Wife says it's funny how I can watch the same new DVD once a week..and its all new for me. And how if we go on vacation I have new clothes when I get home!

Without my Wife and Kids and my circle of support, I am not sure if I could take this.

 

Now the question is; were the accidents because the drivers were inattentive, multi tasking, had a poor attitude drivers or were the accidents caused by the SUV's??

You hear/read this crap all the time (and that's what it is) about SUV drivers. It's the person behind the wheel that matters and not the vehicle they're driving. We don't own a SUV but when we did I or my wife were the same people with the same cares and cautions whether we were driving the 4Runner or driving the Miata.

 

Whaap: I agree with you about it's the person behind the wheel. Some people should not drive, period. Others use their vehicls as an office, living room or a way to intimidate others. But, with the size of some SUV's and the fact that most of the people who drive them never took their road test in them, I feel that there may be some connection between that and accidents. I have driven everything from small compacts to box trucks. And I am sure it would be easier seeing out of a smaller, lower vehicle than an SUV.
BUT, its the operator which is the reason for accidents.

 

I agree it is always the driver's fault, not the vehicle. If you are a conscientious, safe driver then you will be the same regardless of your vehicle. But you are also reinforcing my earlier point because the same is true for bad drivers!

Larger vehicles allow the same bad drivers to do more damage than they could in a smaller vehicle. Add to that the false sense of safety that is often cited as the reason for driving a truck--allowing bad drivers to beleive they are safer and do not need to engage in safer behaviors.

You sound like you are both careful drivers, but if there's going to be a collision--I'd rather be hit by a Miata than a 4Runner. And if I'm going to be attacked by a sociopath I'd rather he wield a pen-knife than a machete`.

For me, owning a Miata (and in the past, a motorcycle) makes me a much more aware and conscientious driver--even when in larger vehicles. But most truck owners don't also own Miatas and may never get to experience the vulnerability of the other side of the truck/SUV equation.

Fascinating conversation. Killer Goldfish, I feel honored that you chose to share your experiences with us.

Take care y'all,

Matt

 

Hey Matt: Thanks for the kind words. It takes me awhile for replies. Spell check and passing it by my Wife to make sure I make sense. Before I was injured, I saw a lot of things I wish I never had. The aftermath of accidents can sty with you forever, no matter how tough you think you may be. I try my best every time I drive to do it in a way that I maintain my existence and those around me. I have seen horrible results of accident. Unfortunately they will be with me forever. Driving is a privilege, not a right, and those of us fortunate to be able to afford to own vehicles need to understand that as easy as it is to start that vehicle, that same vehicle can end a life.
Please drive safe and buckle up.

 

Only one person admitted it was because she looked at her phone but witnesses in the other two said the drivers were on the phone. While I can't say that any single action or other factor caused the accident I am comfortable saying distraction + heavier vehicle = longer stopping distance. I completely agree that SUVs alone are not the cause of accidents. I've seen plenty of really bad econo box drivers out there too. That said I don't think it's a stretch to say that a good portion of the SUV market purchases them for the better you than me safety factor. That and a heavier vehicle can magnify driving skill short-comings that a bad driver may have. I hope I haven't offended you as a former SUV driver and I apologize if I have but as a motorcycle rider my friends and I always made efforts to avoid SUVs because of numerous "sorry I didn't see you" incidents with them.