Cars greatest hits
Deathrace 2000: Some people tell their kids, "watch out for cars" -- for me that was always an understatement. I was one of those lucky kids that got hit by a car, over and over and over again.
My final score was; Cars:4 Me:0 -- and that was just as a pedestrian, as a driver I had a few more accidents.
1978 π Objects in the sideview mirror |
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The first time I was hit by a car was when I was 14, and riding along in the bike lane when BANG! I saw stars and was rolling in the dirt and gravel along the side of the road. After I tumbled and skidded to a halt I saw the pickup, with those extended tow-mirror that had hit me in the back of the head. I had lumps and a headache for days. The guy never stopped, I think he did it on purpose. |
1979 π You never see it coming |
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The 3rd time I got him by a car, was in 9th grade (15), and I was riding against traffic, so "I could see it coming". I got hit from behind, again -- riding against traffic. A lady had seen kids playing the yard, so swerved into the oncoming lane to steer clear, and hadn't seen or expected me. I got hit hard, almost pinned under the car, nothing broke... but got a limp and a totaled bike. |
1979 ππΏ Driving while stoned |
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The second time I was hit by a car, an under-age (for driving) friend suggested we drive down to the creek and get baked. Using my best 15 year old judgement, I said "sure". Everything was fine, until we got home, and I got out of the rear door of the station wagon. We live on a slight hill, and he wasn't holding the brake, so proceeded to slowly drive over my left leg. Fortunately, it didn't break my left, but it did some damage and hurt like hell for a while. |
1981 π Paved Paradise and ran me over in a parking lot |
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After a trifecta of getting hit by a car, I figured I'd burned out my bad Karma (pun intended). And while my luck held for a year or three, it ran out. Crossing a driveway (entrance/exit) to a strip mall, the driver saw me, then got distracted and sped up and hit me, I face-to-face for a millisecond before he slammed on the brakes and launched me into traffic. Gee thanks. With a little luck and artful dodging, I wasn't too banged up, and the idiot driver had sped off to never be seen from again. Besides a bent wiper, I hope I left some nice scratches across his hood. |
Conclusions
Fortunately, I lived through all my little "experiences", without any major traumas. But I had friends that were far more seriously hurt; one lost a spleen and was in a coma, and the little neighbor girl that in a coma and rehabilitating for a month. Another friend that had someone lose control and take him out on a curb, and hospitalized him for many months; broken pelvis, arms, legs, and so on. And a couple of deaths.
When kids or people just get too casual and irresponsible about 3,500 lb. deadly weapons, I just start reciting the fun I've had with them as reminders. I'm not really preachy about it; but cars are dangerous, and they can hurt. I speak from experience. Usually they think a little bit more, or at least that is my hope.
NOTE: I've known one person who died of gunshot wound (to the head, by his drug dealer).... but I've known many that were hit, and a couple killed by cars. Fuck gun control, we need car control.
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2003.08.97