Don't drive tired. 

"CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)" (ccpbb) 11/04/2015 at 09:16 • Filed to: None

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This is from a guy who previously narrowly escaped death that heard about an recent tragic accident that killed 2 with the driver surviving this ordeal. My opinions on driving tired and guilt. Long read/rant/admission

I fucked up when I flipped the Infiniti. I was driving tired, hazily driving to my school for a quad painting project. The speed limit was 55 at the start of the road. I passed a vintage car along the way. Then I slowed down to 50 (speed limit that was coming up and past a intersection it would change to 45). As I went past a MKI Ford Focus, I did not realize there was a green. Now to think back, I most likely mistaken the left turn only lane as a straight across green light. The tiredness was my fault. That came to haunt me as I barreled across the intersection on a red light

I saw a Acura in my front left quarter, and felt a impact. I shoved my ass into the seat as I felt the the SUV flip over and over. I ended up flipping on its roof. The first thought was how I fucked up. The second thought was how I fucked up those 2 people in the Acura. I eventually got news that they were ok (minor head injuries). I ended up going to the hospital (I felt really fucking bad, as I felt the scalp injuries were really superficial and my classmates wanted to visit me, that I flat out refused). It felt shitty getting care for something you did.

When the cops, insurance people, and classmates asked the circumstances, I mentioned that I believed I ran though a solid green on my end. To be honest, I had no idea. There was a gut feeling of dread, as I waited more than 3 weeks to get the police report that either confirmed the green or confirmed my fault. I ended up getting it on the last day of school. I read it while my mom drove me home.

That was one of the shittiest days of my life. I fucking got undeserved sympathies from people at my school, family members, and even Oppo. I had cheated death. I rolled over several times at 50 MPH. In many cars, I would have been dead, I’d be in a cremation box, and I’d be another statistic on the charts. But I didn’t. I survived and came out with minor injuries. I deserved to die. I fucked up the Acura owners’ lives in a incomprehensible amount. Were they traumatized? What did they think of me as I bundled my t shirt on my head? I FUCKING HAD PEOPLE WORRY ABOUT ME FUCKING UP MYSELF IN THE COURSE OF SCREWING SOMEONE’S LIFE.

I was in a whirlwind of guilt as the 2 people who had their Acura totaled by my negligence were identified in that report. I thought of confronting and apologizing for it. But I ended up talking to one of the most unlikely people, my (then) cycling coach. He gave me a bit of advice, that I took. It felt shitty. My mom asked me what was in the report. In cantonese, I quietly replied that it was my fault.

Onto the current event. Post Halloween Sunday morning (3AM) 3 girls from my school were driving in their Toyota Solara. Probably after a night of partying, they probably wanted to go on a drive. Franklin Canyon is one of these roads. It’s twisty for a part of it, and then it becomes straight that slowly curves left and right for a good 2 miles and a half. TSomewhere during that straight, the driver fell asleep at ~60 MPH. All the other passengers were asleep as well. They never knew it coming as they crashed into a tree and bounced the car around like a pinball. Ok. that road they were going on is what I believe to have a 35 MPH zone. This is in one of the country parts of where I used to bike infrequently with the team. This stretch of road can have the scariest drivers or the most pleasant drivers. I’ve been with people in the daytime on this road at 60 ish. This road is like a farm road that just goes straight. Nobody expects to get hurt at that speed. But one thing was a factor. Sleepiness. It wasn’t drugs or alcohol, it was sleepiness.

Sleepiness is the lurking factor. You can’t avoid it. You have to succumb to it, in a safe way (aka stopping and catching some sleep) or it could be disasterous (falling asleep while doing something). I had this very thing happen that night. I was driving home from work (15 miles away) and I was feeling Tired. I felt to stay awake. I eventually took an exit and drove on city streets as I thought I would be more awake. I was wrong. I still was tired. I ended up getting on and off the freeway 2 times before just going to a gas station, where I rested up. I was 2 miles from my house then. But I had endangered countless lives on the road. I should have just slept after work in the parking lot for an hour so I could recover the energy. I didn’t. I fucked up. That’s what I plan to do next time. You don’t want to be too late.

It’s a tragedy these 2 girls died that morning. This was avoidable. They could have came home or crashed at someone’s house. Hell, a friend of mine got a ride from them around 11 to go home. I didn’t know them, but the school now does. The effect has resonated through the school, and I find myself setting up audio equipment for a candlelight vigil again in less than a year. Everyone feels weak. Everyone, whether they knew them or not, has been shoved a blunt message in their face on how fragile life is and how it can be ended so quickly.

Rest in peace to the 2 girls.

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Patrick Nichols > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 09:25

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Very heartfelt message from you. Thank you for sharing and prayers to the families of those girls.

yitznewton > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 09:30

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When I was interviewing for college, my mom and I would go on long roadtrips and I would sometimes get drowsy. Having that happen a couple times got me thinking, and when I got tired on my way from Cleveland to Pittsburgh for an internship interview, I made a point of stopping and napping at a gas station for a couple of hours in my back seat. Scary stuff. I’m sorry you had to live that incident.

TheRealBicycleBuck > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 09:53

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I learned that lesson the hard, but much less tragic way. I was driving late at night trying to get home. I was also young and stupid.

The trip was mostly freeway. I started the head-bobbing, eyes-shutting thing and I tried all of the tricks to stay awake: rolling the windows down (it wasn’t that cold), turning the radio up, singing at the top of my lungs - you name it, I tried it.

I realized something was seriously wrong when I could see a flashing yellow light ahead, but I couldn’t reach it. My sleep-addled brain couldn’t make sense of the situation. I was going the speed limit. I could see other vehicles ahead, but none of us could get to the light. When I finally caught it, I realized it was on top of an escort vehicle for an oversized trailer. Hah, ha. Stupid me.

I managed to get off the freeway and onto the rural roads without incident. When I finally turned onto my street, I thought “YES! I MADE IT!”

The violent bouncing was what woke me. I was doing 25 mph in the ditch . I awoke just in time to yank the wheel and get out of the ditch before crashing into the first driveway culvert. It was close.

The adrenaline rush got me the last 1/4 mile to the house. I promised myself not to drive tired any more. I think that’s one promise I’ve live up to.

Boxer_4 > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 10:06

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I think a lot of people need to realize that drunk driving isn’t the only impaired driving.

A friend of mine is on their 3rd car in 2 years due to several tired driving incidents. Luckily, they were only single vehicle incidents, and he was ok each time. He has it figured out now, and I’m glad.

I’m glad you have it figured out, too.

bobbe17 > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 10:11

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Seems like something many of us have done and later got scared straight. You never really think how bad it can be until it really starts to hit. I can remember my sleep deprived brain saying “This is a long straight, just close your eyes for a couple of seconds.” I actually did it then I snapped awake, luckily still on the road in my lane. That was the worst it got for me luckily and I haven’t put myself in a similar situation since then.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 10:14

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This needs to get shared to the front page.

Driving tired is one of the dumbest things you can do, bar none. Everyone thinks they can make it to their destination, that they won’t be one of those people. This can happen to anyone, no matter how safe or cautious of a driver you think you are.

Pull over in a parking lot and catch a bit of shuteye. Your life and the lives of others is worth it.

thebigbossyboss > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 10:35

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RIP.

We all make mistakes on the road and in life buddy. The ghosts that haunt you won’t ever go away completely but they will fade.

Remember the lesson, and impart it on anyone who will listen when appropriate.

Next week I am leaving on a cross country trip I will keep your advice in mind. If I have to arrive a day late then I will. No point in pushing through and getting killed.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 10:40

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I have a friend that fell asleep driving to work (had a long 70 minute commute one way to work). Totaled his Acura TL-S along with the Civic that he hit while going through a red light. Glad he and the other driver were fine but that definitely drilled into me to never drive tired. I usually find that stopping to use the bathroom, walk around a bit, and getting food will get me through. Driving a Miata with the top down always and a manual, definitely helps me though.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 10:45

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I learned this the hard way too. I was 17 coming home from school, I hadn’t slept at all the night before since I was sick, but I had a big test that day and was feeling better in the morning so I had gone to school. On the way home the lack of sleep hit me. I swerved off the road onto the gravel twice already and should have taken the hint and stopped to rest, but I rolled down the windows and kept going, thinking I’d make it. I am almost home when I wake up to a crash. (which by the way is the weirdest thing ever) I had fallen asleep 1/4 mile from home and crashed into a parked car. Luckily it was only at 25mph. But still, it scared the crap out of me, I never drive tired anymore.

T5Killer > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 11:02

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Very very sad. I lost a very close childhood friend to this. He fell asleep driving home after a very long shift. :(

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > TheRealBicycleBuck 11/04/2015 at 12:09

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Yeah...that's why I'm not going to any more drag nights...last time I almost went off an narrow edge of a road....

TheRealBicycleBuck > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 12:17

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Where I live now, dipping a tire off the edge of a road usually means losing the whole vehicle into the ditch. I found a Tahoe in this one (on the right) yesterday morning on my way to work.

Those yellow signs perform several functions. They roughly mark the edge of the pavement. They warn you that the ditch is steep. And they act as a rough depth gauge since this road floods regularly.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > thebigbossyboss 11/04/2015 at 12:33

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Glad this made a difference.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 13:19

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Don’t drive tired: my friend, Frank, had a Saturn Sky that he loved dearly. He let his son in law drive it after the SIL had his own car totaled (not his fault). At ~9:00 pm Frank got a call that his SIL had gotten into an accident and was going to the hospital. According to witnesses, the Sky flew by, drifted off the road, rolled 4 times, and skidded on its roof for 100 feet. The SIL now has permanent back/neck injuries (not too bad, thankfully).

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/04/2015 at 14:28

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I’ll definitely stop and rest/or contemplate my position to drive before driving to determine whether I’m awake enough. Sorry about your friend’s SIL though...

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 22:21

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4 wheel steering!

Yep... if you’re driving and start feeling sleepy, pull over, have a little nap. I’ve done that myself a few times.

Better to arrive late.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 22:26

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Yep... if you’re driving and start feeling sleepy, pull over, have a little nap. I’ve done that myself a few times.

Better to arrive late.

protodad > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 22:28

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Two friends of the family have passed away from falling asleep at the wheel. It really sucks.

I really try not to drive tired and often make (shitty) stops to either sleep or grab a monster and sunflower seeds. These days, older and with a bunch of kids I just find a motel hotel or plan to not be driving that late. I can’t help falling asleep and can’t risk it anymore.

desertdog5051 > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/04/2015 at 23:00

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...”I should have just slept after work in the parking lot for an hour so I could recover the energy. I didn’t. I fucked up. That’s what I plan to do next time.”

You are so right. I wish more people would realize the benefit of a 30 minute nap when they are tired.

It is as bad as driving while drunk when you are tired.

Chariotoflove > yitznewton 11/04/2015 at 23:19

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I had a similar problem on one of my drives from Ann Arbor to Indy (most boring drive you’ll ever do) except that I stopped on the shoulder for a quick power nap to de-hypnotize myself. Well, I lifted my head to discover fire trucks and paramedics pulling up behind me. Someone had seen my head down on the wheel and called 911. The firemen didn’t want to let me go until I proved I was okay. Since then, I’ve always pull off the highway like you.

BoulderZ > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 11/05/2015 at 01:46

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Yes, you fucked up and drove impaired. But, you’re owning your mistake, and even posting about it. I’m sitting here Googling how to put together a sentencing statement for my brother’s killer. The killer drove while severely drunk. He has taken no responsibility whatsoever. I find something remarkable in your attitude. I wish I could tell you feelings will fade. They won’t. They will surface less frequently, but they will never diminish or stop. Every death will bring things up again as if it all just happened. What you do with this motivation is up to you, but I think you’re on a good track. As we age and make our way through the world, it’s not about the scars we accumulate but rather how we wear them. Peace is possible, and I wish that for you.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > BoulderZ 11/05/2015 at 04:23

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Thanks for the thoughts. I wish you luck in the legal vengeance of your brother.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 11/06/2015 at 03:59

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That’s the result of an Acura slamming into a rear quarter, shearing/bending at least a good amount of the 5 link rear suspension, ending up with the driveshaft detaching from the transmission