Buckle up and stay safe this holiday (and every other day of the year)

I do a lot of driving. The biggest admitted mistake that I always make is not remembering to wear my seat belt. Last week I paid for it, literally. CHP’s issued me a ticket.

Many of my friends, family and particularly my ex-girlfriend have always been annoyed by my lack of awareness about putting on my seat belt. It’s a problem.

Last night while driving home at 2am from San Francisco I was faced with a wakeup call. Only about 3 exits from home on 101 South I caught a glimpse of rolling tail lights in the middle of the highway. A GMC Denali had lost control and rolled 2 or 3 times. Debris was all over the highway.

I drove around the vehicle and parked mine near the under pass. I called 911 and was greeted by a busy signal. Wonderful! I immediately called again and got through to an emergency operator.

At this point I was running towards the SUV as its occupants begin to emerge from the wreck. It was pitch black except for the emergency lights flashing on my car in the background. The vehicle came to rest in the 3rd and 4th lanes of 101. Cars and tractor trailers were speeding by not even realizing what had happened.

It was apparent that the situation was about to from bad to worse because I expected the vehicle would be clipped by a passing motorist due to the darkness. While on the phone with the operator I managed to quickly help the three people away from the vehicle and yelled that we needed to get as far away as possible. Just as they began to make their way towards me my fear became reality as I watched a Ford Focus collide head on with the rear of the Denali.

Tons of debris flew over our heads and all over the highway. The front left wheel of the second vehicle was sent flying and landed about 100 yards down the highway beside my Durango. The Ford shot across the highway and slammed in the inside wall. The front end had completely disintegrated.

The driver never saw the Denali and never had a chance to slow down.

I never expected to see anyone emerge from the Ford. As I was talking to the operator about a minute later the driver stepped out of the vehicle on the other side of the highway and collapsed.

Eventually about a dozen or so emergency vehicles arrived. About 45 minutes later I gave my statement to CHPs and headed home.

When I finally arrived home around 4am my body and mind was finally hit with what had just happened. I was really shaken up and almost got sick from it.

Now, it’s a pathetic thing not to ever wear your seat belt. Trust me I know. After last night, that horrific sequence of events will forever remain with me and I will not be forgetting to wear my seat belt ever again.

Buckle up, you never know what could happen while driving, especially at night. I can only imagine if the guy driving the Ford Focus was married and had a wife waiting up for him to arrive home. Last night, he never made it home.

rob.