A black SUV was traveling east in the right-hand lane. A white sport car was in the left lane just slightly behind the SUV. A blue minivan was parked on the shoulder with a flat tire.
As the driver of the SUV approached the blue minivan , she noticed someone staying by the side of the car.
Case 6. Problem, part II
To give him plenty of room, she started to swing into the left lane.
This forced the driver of the white sports car to swerve to the left.
Case 6. Problem, part III
His left front tire scraped a concrete curb, and he lost control and collided with the SUV. The driver of the SUV then slammed on her brakes and her car was nearly overturned. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries.
Who was at fault in this collision?
The driver of black SUV
The driver of white sport car The driver of blue minivan
Case 6. Explanation, part I
Answer: The driver of the black SUV
And here's why:
The driver of the SUV was legally at fault for making an unsafe lane change. She claimed she checked her rearview mirror and her outside mirror before starting her turn.
The white car was alongside the left rear portion of her car, however, where it could not be seen from either mirror.
This area is known as the "blind spot." There are blind spots to the left rear and right rear portions of every car. The only way to make sure there is no car in your blind spot is to turn your head and glance over your shoulder.
The driver of the white car contributed to the collision by driving in the SUV's blind spot. He could have either pulled forward or dropped back to a position where he could be seen more easily. Or better yet, he could have moved completely away from the SUV. Driving alongside another car puts you in danger if the other driver has to change lanes. It also prevents you from making a sudden, but safe, lane change when you need to.
Case 6. Explanation, part II
The driver of the blue minivan contributed to the accident by parking too close to the main road's edge. In fact, he was lucky he was not hit by a passing car that got too close to the shoulder. Each year hundreds of drivers are killed in similar situations. Drivers of disabled cars often do not realize how hard it is for other drivers to see them.
If your car is disabled, you should pull well onto the shoulder, as far from the roadway as possible; if this is not possible, you should place some kind of warning at least 200 feet behind the car. This will give approaching drivers a little more time to react. In the daytime, have someone stand on the shoulder and wave a handkerchief. At night, flares or reflectors are necessary.
Rule Number 1:
Always check your blind spots by looking over your shoulder before changing lanes. Also check your blind spots whenever you enter traffic from a curb or freeway entrance lane.
Rule Number 2:
Stay out of another driver's blind spot. Either speed up or drop back.
Rule Number 3:
If you have to stop along the road, pull as far off the roadway as you can. If you must park near the roadway, put some kind of warning signal at least 200 to 300 feet behind your car.
