car crash Archives - Comedy Defensive Driving®

RAPID TRAVEL CAR v.s. PLANE

Daun Thompson — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 15:00:15 +0000

I flew to Chicago from Dallas in 2 hours and 5 minutes. By car, it would take me around 18 hours. I’ve done that before. What a boring drive that is. Illinois, as well as most of the Midwest are void of scenery. The land is just flat and ugly (like my sister Karla). When I was landing, I was thinking about how crazy it is that you can glide in the air at such a high speed. Even considering that you can sit in a chair and go 100+mph is pretty cool. I bet if you went back in time and told people that one day you will be able to do that, you would have been burned at the stake. Heck, if you told someone then that in the future you’d be able to cook a meal in 4 minutes in a microwave oven, they’d be tying you to that stake. Thankfully we didn’t have microwaves then! It makes me curious what the future holds for us in regards to rapid travel?

MODERN TECHNOLOGY

It’s true that cars go faster, can be driven longer and speed limits are higher now. Fuel prices are higher as well, so weighing out the time you would spend in the car as opposed to paying for a plane ticket pretty much depends on how many family members you are traveling with. Or just taking the ones you like. If you want to see the Grand Canyon, you have no choice but to drive there. Not by plane, unless you own and fly one. And there is only one way in and one way out from the main highway. Every time I’d be driving between California and Texas, I always planned to visit the Grand Canyon. But, by the time I’d get there, I’d be over the driving business and just want to get home! Maybe next time, kids!

CAR CRASH v.s. PLANE CRASH

Some people live for road trips. Me, not so much. I spent most of the late 80’s and early 90’s on the road as a stand-up comic. Although I have great memories and stories, I wouldn’t want to do that again. I’m more of an airline girl. If I can’t fly there, I’m not going. Also, it seems that it is more dangerous to drive than it is to fly. Although a 747 can carry up to 660 passengers, the average person living in the U.S. has a 1 in 102 chance of dying in a car crash, compared to a 1 in 205,552 chance of dying as a passenger on an airplane. This means that you are more than 2,000 times more likely to die in a car than on a plane.

As for me, I also consider the pain factor of each crash when thinking about car travel vs. plane travel. If my plane goes down, it would likely be instant death. A car crash seems a bit more traumatic to me. I think it’s goofy that while flying, the flight attendants will wake you up out of a dead sleep to make sure your seat belt is buckled under your magazine or blanket. Who cares, really? I mean, if the plane goes down, when identifying you, the only thing left after the crash would be your seat belt buckle and your teeth. And they already know you were on the plane when you checked in (before you checked out)!

Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

RAPID TRAVEL CAR v.s. PLANE – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Hit And Run

Daun Thompson — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 05:19:11 +0000

I know a couple who live near downtown Dallas and their home is near a busy intersection. On weekends, they say there are a lot of car accidents in that intersection late at night. Sometimes when the crashes occur, it jars them from a deep sleep. They wake up, look out the window and sometimes there is only one car ripped apart in the intersection and the other car is long gone. Other times, they look out the window and both cars are gone. Leaving the scene of an accident that involves death or serious injury is considered a third-degree felony with a penalty of possible imprisonment for two to ten years. If the injury is not a serious one, the offense is still a felony that is punishable by up to one year in a county jail or up to five years in a state prison. Leaving the scene of an accident that does not result in injury, but only results in property damage is a misdemeanor with fines around $1,000 and possible jail time of up to one year.
If you are the victim of a hit and run, it’s good to know how uninsured motorist coverage works. Texans are required to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, in addition to liability insurance. Still, of course, not everyone is insured. That’s one reason for them to hit and run. Another reason is perhaps they’ve been drinking alcohol. Or they simply don’t have the financial means to pay for damage to another car. Uninsured motorist coverage is just what it sounds like, insurance to cover you in the event that you are hit by a motorist that either does not have insurance, or if you are hit by someone who leaves the scene.
Failure to render aid is a crime, as is failure to give information in an accident. That’s why you should always try to get an accurate description of the car and the license number a.s.a.p.!! Calling the police immediately will also help broaden your chances of catching your hit and run criminal.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Artist / Commedienne

Hit And Run – Comedy Defensive Driving School

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Car Accident Checklist

Daun Thompson — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 18:48:43 +0000

Accidents happen and sometimes driving seems like a game of bumper cars. If you’re involved in an accident, follow this car accident checklist. The first thing you should do is to make sure that no one is hurt (in all vehicles involved). In my past two accidents (which were not my fault, of course), my insurance card at the time instructed me to not admit fault and have their insurance agent speak directly with your insurance agent. I was instructed to resist the urge to apologize for the accident, even if you think it might be your fault. Law enforcement officers will determine the degree to which each driver may have contributed to the collision.
Next, you should follow this checklist:
• Call 911 and stay at the scene until police show up. They will likely complete an accident report. Even if law enforcement officers don’t respond to the accident, which sometimes happens if there are no injuries, download an accident report form from your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website, fill it out and submit it.
• Exchange insurance information with the other driver(s) involved. Take a picture of their insurance card and license plate, if possible. And get a phone number and name of the person driving the car.
• Take pictures of the damages of both vehicles with your phone.
• Ask witnesses for names and phone numbers.
• Write down an account of what happened and street name. Sometimes we forget details.
• Call your insurance provider to report the claim.
Of course, you may choose to keep important emergency information in your cell phone under a file or note called “ICE,” which tells first responders where to look “In Case of Emergency.” You may also want to list several of your emergency contacts under “ICE.” This, and other medication allergies may help in any emergency.
And stay safe. If it is safe to do so, move your car to the side of the road. Turn on your hazard lights and put out any flares or warning triangles if you have them.
Again, accidents happen. And they are stressful enough. Perhaps following these guidelines will help you to resolve your accident and get you back on the road quickly.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Car Accident Checklist – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Car Cameras

Daun Thompson — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 06:19:20 +0000

Apparently everything that happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. So, what about everything that happens in and around your car? Car Cameras – ComedyDefensiveDriving.com or dash cams are a great way of providing evidence in case of an accident or insurance dispute. They are excellent for a hit and run and been used in Russia for years. Russia is famous for YouTube videos recorded with dash cams since nearly every driver in Russia has a dash-mounted video camera in their car. Aren’t you curious why? Well, I’m gonna tell you! Apparently, Russia reported a total of 35,972 road deaths in 2007 alone. Since Russians are apparently accident prone, along with their corrupt law enforcement and a faulty legal system, some say this is the best and least expensive form of legal protection.

Here in the states, you can purchase a dash-cam for as little as $70 and as much as thousands of dollars, depending on the features you require. Some have a number of functions, such as dual lens security cameras that face inside and outside of the car, as well as in-car video systems with night vision recording (just like Ghost Hunters, everything will be in a lovely glowing green). Some offer accident sensors that will turn the camera on in an impact or with a glass breaking sensor and built in GPS software to log the time of the incident (I would say “alleged” incident, but camera proof would confirm any wrong doing). The pricey ones even record at all angles, inside and outside of the car so you can film your own Paparazzi. “Take that you pesky Paparazzi.” (My sister called me when Princess Di was killed and told me she just didn’t understand why that big Italian opera singer would want to kill Princess Di. Ugh! I wish I was kidding.)

It would be terribly convenient to have a dash cam to catch someone breaking into your car. Or to make sure your teen driver or employee is doing the right thing behind the wheel. If they knew they were on camera, it may just spark a sense of accountability. Perhaps a dash cam would come in handy to prove a spouse’s affairs and indiscretions in court. Yikes! That’s it! I’m totally getting one!

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Dash Cam – Comedy Defensive Driving

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The Odds of Dying in a Car Crash

Daun Thompson — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 06:19:40 +0000

I have been preoccupied with thoughts of mortality since my Father’s death in September. Although his life ended as a result of natural causes, he barely escaped the odds of dying in a car crash or in a motorcycle crash. Of course these odds change as technology evolves. Everything does. And, it appears that more people are choosing cremation rather than a traditional funeral. This is what my Mother had chosen for him. A handful of children attended the memorial service at the funeral home, since there was no viewing, it seemed kid appropriate. Little did we know, there was another service scheduled across the hall from my Father’s, with a traditional viewing. Shortly after the service began, my tiny niece ran up to her mother and said “Mom! I just saw a dead body! A REAL dead body!” My sister was horrified. Then my niece looked around the room and with a puzzled look on her face, said “Where’s Grandpa’s body?” My sister told her “Grandpa’s body is in that box on the table.” My niece looked at her with a little grin. Clearly her mother was joking. “How did Grandpa fit in that little box?” My sister said “Because we had Grandpa cremated and his ashes are in that box.” My niece screamed “You set Grandpa on FIRE?”
With my preoccupation of life and death, I found some interesting statistics and other facts about death and dying. I wasn’t surprised that the National Safety Council’s table on an individual’s odds of dying from various causes lists motor vehicle incidents in the top four, with the odds being 1 in 112. The odds for a car occupant dying are 1 in 492. And the odds of a motorcycle rider dying are 1 in 922. The National Safety Council collects safety statistics for their annual Injury Facts publication, which includes this table on an individual’s odds of dying from various causes. But, still, the number one cause of death on the list is heart disease and cancer, which are 1 in 7 odds. Not good odds for any of the living and certainly bad news for those who are already gone.
And let us not forget the old hornet, wasp and bee sting deaths (1 in 75,852), legal execution (1 in 96,203) and being killed by a dog (1 in 103,798). Wait! I have three dogs that are seemingly nice. Tonight, I will be sleeping with one eye open.
Until next week …
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist
The Odds of Dying in a Car Crash – Comedy Defensive Driving

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