Avoiding a Head On Collision with a Wrong Way Driver
Here on Long Island, we seem to be experiencing an increase of fatal collisions involving Wrong Way Drivers on divided highways! A quick Google of “wrong way driver” would suggest the problem is not unique to Long Island or even our 50 states.
Most of these events appear to happen when the Wrong Way Driver is either drunk, drugged out or totally incapacitated from some other cause. While Driverthink is not an advocate of over zealous DWI laws, if one is so zonked that he or she can drive the wrong way on a divided highway without even knowing it, that driver is obviously irresponsible. Driverthink is most definitely an advocate of responsible driving.
It isn’t about the reason a driver is incapacitated. It’s about having at least enough responsibility to know you’re incapacitated and shouldn’t be operating any tool or machine that can be lethal. Doing so may cleanse the gene pool, but it can take out a lot of innocent people in the process.
That being said, it is difficult to legislate responsibility. Irresponsible drivers are out there – and we can run into one (no pun intended) at any given moment. So how do we defend ourselves against the Wrong Way Driver on a divided highway?
It’s all about S’s – Five S’s to be exact. See Forward, Swerve, Side impact, Space, and Escape. Okay, so I took some liberty with escape! Some might suggest a sixth S but this is a family program!
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See Forward. One of the basics of Driverthink is to look past (well past) the bumper in front of us. Surviving drivers of wrong way incidents have often stated upon interview that “they never saw it coming” or “suddenly headlights were in my windshield.” Were they Seeing Forward?
The further we look in front of us, the more time we’ll have to see the Wrong Way Driver coming at us. While this may not always be possible, it stands to reason that the more time we have to react to this puppy, the better our survival chances will be. It won’t be much time, but at least it’ll be some time.
Swerve. Most survivors of these incidents – Swerved. Even if we only have a nano-second to see this driver coming (60 + 60 = 120 and 120mph isn’t much time to see anything) its going to be a high stakes game of “chicken”. If we swerve out of his way, will he swerve also – right back into us? Don’t give her the chance. Wait until the last possible moment, then make a hard swerve to avoid her. Then correct it!
A quick cut of the wheel to swerve, then another to correct – is what we want here. We don’t want to swerve right into a bridge abutment or end up rolling over sideways on down the road because we didn’t correct our swerve. The swerve may be reactive but correcting for it is a learned, conscious skill.
Which way do we swerve? Depends. If there’s space on either side of us, probably to the right. If our oncoming does swerve, that would be the normal reaction and we’ll miss each other by both swerving to the right. If there’s only space on one side of us, we gotta take it.
One final thought about swerving. A skilled swerve takes practice. On a lonely road with no one in the car, or on a track if possible, try practicing it. Start with little “itty-bitty” swerves. Swerve and correct. Keep increasing the swerves as you become more comfortable with them. Just don’t roll yourself over in the process! This will also teach you the limitations of your chosen boogy board.
Side Impact. Even if your swerve doesn’t completely avoid impact, it will probably avoid a head on collision. We’ll get spun out by taking the hit on our side, we may get hurt and it may not be pretty but we’ll absorb less impact and might just stand a chance of living to survey the damage. A direct “head-on” is a “dead” stop. No chance!
Space. In order to swerve you need space to do it. That car driving along side of you? Let’s make sure it isn’t. Driving right along side of another car at speed, doesn’t leave you much space. Always try to speed up or slow down so that you have space on your side (again, no pun). My Magnetic Quarter Panels – is not where you want to be when on a highway at any significant speed.
Escape. We should always be planning an escape route. We may not always have one but when it’s there – are we aware? Is it a center median with lots of room and cool grassy stuff? Maybe we can dive off to the side of the asphalt if we have to? And is there a car right beside us or do we have the space? Always nice to have an escape. It’s critical when we face the Wrong Way Driver.
This writer has never faced down a “Wrong Way Driver”. It must be terrifying. But since it seems its becoming a more prevalent issue, Driverthinking about it before it actually happens, just might be helpful. I would love comments or thoughts from anyone who has ever survived this kind of shear terror!
Categories: Driving Experience, Road Hazards, Driving Skills
Tags: Wrong way driver Wrong way drivers head on collisions
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From Driverthink:
Wow. You're welcome and thank you.
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Hi! Loved this article. I would dispute a couple of things you said, though--first would be that it's better to have a side impact. I would argue that since there is a huge crumple zone in the front (the entire hood), and basically no crumple zone on the side, it is safer to be hit in the front than on the side (assuming equal speed). I think this is why you often see better frontal impact crash ratings than side crash ratings on the same car. Also, the reason why they do offset frontal crash tests is because offset is where you get the maximum force with minimal force distribution (since it's just on that side of the car)--if you were to hit someone head-on with your hoods exactly lined up, the crash would be easier on you. I definitely agree that swerving is the thing to do though!
Second, I personally wouldn't practice swerving too much on a road... Maybe in an empty parking lot or something. Never know when a cop is gonna be there! (Or when you're going to do it wrong and end up on your side on the side of the road.)
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From Driverthink:
Very interesting and valid comments. I will post it in the showcased comments.
On the side impact; yes, you are absolutely correct. When I wrote the article I was thinking more if you could take the side impact on the rear of the car or the axel. Also, in the side impact, while the side of the car might not take it as well, the entire car would also be able to skid sideways, absorbing force, as opposed to a frontal where "nuttin's gonna give!" Never the less, your point is very well taken.
Yes, anytime you practice anything in a car it behooves you to do it in a safe place - preferably with no "bears" watching the action!
All in all, thanks for the comments!
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A good driver must be always calm and ready to take measures in traffic. These are the most important points for a good driver.
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I think this is why you often see better frontal impact crash ratings than side crash ratings on the same car. Also, the reason why they do offset frontal crash tests is because offset is where you get the maximum force with minimal force distribution..
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