One of our students recently had a close call and wanted us to share her experience in the hopes it will also help others. It highlights the importance of scanning, being aware of your surroundings and how important it is to react appropriately to the situation. Below is her description of the events: I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for giving me the superb training that literally saved my life yesterday. I was riding with Tony on the Service road coming back from Port Dalhousie and he was behind me about a hundred meters away. We just passed Jordan Road. I kept doing my shoulder checks and slowed down a tiny bit so he could catch up. As I turned my head back forward, I saw a red car in the oncoming lane going about 150 kms/hr (in a 60 zone) and losing control in a curve only 100 meters in front of me. He swerved suddenly after hitting his gravel shoulder and headed straight in my direction. In that moment, everything went slow motion in my head and I was certain I was dead. I slammed on my breaks and squinted my eyes, halting from 80ish kms/hr to a full stop within only a couple of feet. My bikes rear end went up but I controlled it. Everything went brown as I was covered in a cloud of dust, debris and brake fluid. I felt wind slamming my face and body as if I just past a transport truck on the hwy in the opposite direction. I only had my sun visor down on my helmet... I felt a big hit on my right upper arm... As I looked to my right and behind, through the dust, I saw the car fly up in the air, after hitting the curb and rolling over, front first. I put my kickstand down and got off my bike running as quickly as I could to the car that was laying upside down on the ground... Tony was running towards me. I screamed: call 911 now and get my first aid kit! I ran to the car and out came a teenage passenger, without a scratch. The driver was not so lucky. He wiggled his way out of the totalled car and I insisted he remains on ground. He waa also a teen. I ran back to my bike after giving the driver gauze to apply to his head from which blood was shooting. I was stunned to see my front tire only one foot away from the skidmarks of the car. I rolled my bike back and to the side trying to get it to the open gravel shoulder so nobody would hit it.. I gave up as I was too shaken up.. I ran back to the driver and Tony got his information in case he passed out before emergency crew arrived. Some guy driving by from red cross took gloves from my first aid kit and imobilized the drivers spine.. Tony saw the car going straight for me, then I disappeared in the cloud of dust and he thought I was dead. Then he saw me running out of the cloud holding my right arm... He ran to me with such relief and I can only imagine the instant trauma he was subjected to.. The emergency crew showed up... Thats when it all hit me. If only I hadnt slowed down to let Tony catch up.. If only I turned my head half a second later.. If only I was one of those people not wearing full gear.. If only I tried to speed up instead of slam on my brakes.. If only I hadnt taken the course or taken it with some stupid training company that just cares about the stats.. If only Paul didnt give me tough love.. I burst into a cry and my whole body was shaking... I had been on the road for less than 2 weeks and a few of those days I couldnt even ride because of rain.. You truly made a difference. I mean it from the bottom of my heart. You saved my life.. Along with the angel who watched over me. I will never forget this experience.. Even cops, witnesses dont know how I survived... MTOHP
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 21:07:16 +0000
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