Okay folks, today’s one comes from a real wake-up call. Remember that awful news about Terry Glenn’s crash? Hearing about something like that always hits hard. It got me thinking – way too hard – about how close calls can happen to anyone. So I decided to really sit down and see how I could learn from it, what steps I could actually take right now to be safer on the road. This wasn’t about finger-pointing; it was about looking in the mirror.
The Scare That Started It
Just yesterday morning, heading out early before the sun was even up properly. Coffee not quite kicked in yet, you know? Roads were a bit damp from overnight mist. Coming up to a junction I drive through every single day, feeling kinda on autopilot. Suddenly, this car just… bolts out from a side street. No indicator, nothing. Pure luck I wasn’t going a tick faster, pure luck my brakes were decent. Felt my heart jump into my throat. Absolute textbook “what if” moment.
That incident, coupled with thinking about Terry Glenn’s accident, made it click. Complacency is the enemy. I realized I needed a solid plan, not just vague good intentions.
My Safety Deep Dive
Here’s what I actually did when I got home, shaking my head at how stupidly close it was:
- Checked my tires like a hawk. Got down on my hands and knees, used a penny trick someone showed me years back to check tread depth in a few spots. Found some uneven wear on the inside edge I hadn’t really noticed.
- Went digging for my car manual. Seriously, where was the thing? Found it buried under some junk. Actually read the recommended tire pressure this time, checked all four wheels (including the spare!) with a gauge I bought ages ago and barely used. Two were definitely too low.
- Played with my car’s tech. Found the settings for the forward collision warning system my car has. Realized I had it set to “late.” Switched that sucker to “early.” Tested the lane departure beep by deliberately drifting close to a line on a quiet street – yep, still works. Squealed annoyingly loud!
- Played the “blind spot game.” Parked my car, walked around it. Sat in the driver’s seat, adjusted mirrors differently. Made my partner stand in different places while I checked. Realized how much stuff the door pillars blocked. That right-side blind spot is bigger than you think!
- Set my “No Phone” rule in stone. Before, I’d occasionally tap the screen at lights. Not anymore. Phone goes straight into the glovebox compartment now, silenced, before the key turns. If I need nav, it gets set before moving. End of.
Putting It into Practice (The Hard Part)
Okay, checking stuff is one thing. Using it every day? That’s the real challenge.
- Mental “What If?” Driving yesterday, approaching an intersection. Instead of zoning out, I thought: “What if someone runs that red? What’s my escape?” Noticed the breakdown lane was clear. Felt better knowing I’d scanned my options.
- Braking practice. Found an empty industrial estate after work. Safely practiced some firm braking at moderate speed, getting a feel for the Anti-lock Brake System shudder. Don’t want the first time to be in panic mode.
- Leaving stupidly big gaps. This felt weird at first, like I was driving too slow. Some guy honked! But honestly? Staying way back from the truck in front felt way less stressful. Less pressure, more time to react if his brake lights suddenly lit up.
The Reality Check
Look, no system is perfect, and bad luck happens. But walking away from that near-miss made me realize I was relying on luck. Taking these steps isn’t just about avoiding crashes like Terry Glenn’s; it’s about feeling more in control, less like a sitting duck out there. It takes conscious effort, ditching autopilot, and actually using the safety stuff your car probably already has.
Feeling calmer behind the wheel today? Honestly? Yeah, a bit. More importantly, feeling like I’m actually doing something about it.
