I was involved in a near-fatal accident in a 95 MK4 TT last Monday. This experience has changed me in ways that nothing else could have. As much as everyone tries to enjoy fast cars "responsibly", there are some times when judgement is lasped and the worst happens. I was going along a good driving road at night.. the speed limit on this road was 45. I was probably doing around 60, 70 tops. We all exceed the speed limit somtimes, and when it's that slight we often don't think twice about it. A turn came up that was a bit of a surprise and I overcompensated for it by jerking the wheel too fast and lost control of the car. I then hit the embankment, flipped, and knocked a phone pole over.. stopping on a tree which probably would have killed me if it hadn't been for the pole and the way it absorbed the impact. I climbed out of the car, slightly covered in what I thought might be oil or gas from the car.. but was actually the oil from the transformer.. with wires all around the vehicle. My friend was in the passenger side.. and because he was slouching, got his leg caught under the dash. Luckily, it was only a broken leg and he will make a full recovery.. but seeing the car and hearing him yelling from inside was the single most terrifying thing I've ever experienced. They had to wait 20 minutes or so to finally get him out after the power was off. I was in complete shock that it had happened. I was usually very responsible about my driving.. but you can never be responsible enough. The chances of me being alive and crawling out of that car without a scratch are insane. So many factors come to mind: the oil, the wires, the exact way we hit the phonepole so that if it were a foot off it might have been fatal, the fact we hit a pole and not a tree, the fact I didn't have the targa off, the fact that the Supra is an extremely solid car.. the list goes on. I'm not very religious in the traditional sense of the word, but this kind of thing makes divine intervention seem very real.
The car I don't care about. It was an amazing car, and incredibly attractive (silver/black with stillen body kit and 18" ssr integrals). But I can always buy a new car, and I will. However, the fact that it was my mistake that caused my friend to go through anything has eaten away at my conscience. All I could hope for was that it was nothing permanent. Even if he had a limp, I would probably never get over it. Imagine if he was paralyzed.. a couple inches off and he might have been.
So, guys.. be careful out there. And saying that probably won't work as much as it should. All I know is that from now on, I will drive like an old lady at night. In the daytime, I won't drive even slightly fast unless there's a very extensive amount of dry, even pavement ahead of me without any other cars. You can never be too careful.. and I thought I would be the last person for something like this to happen to. I've always been a good driver and have pride in myself because of it.. especially compared to my peers.
I hope this at least has some impact on the way you guys drive. I know I'm going to be more careful. In fact, I'm taking an advanced driving course at Skip Barber before I buy my next car. I think it should be a required course for anyone buying a car like ours.
The reason I'm on this board is because I'm considering an NSX for my next car. I must admit I have a fear of excess power now after I crashed the supra. Although it wasn't the power that caused the crash, it still freaks me out that that car could reach high speeds so insanely fast. Almost too fast to register. Keep in mind I was pushing around 400RWHP on that car.. when those turbos hit full boost, it's hard to think about anything else but that feeling of thrust. So, I figure an NSX would suit me better. Good power and great handling is what I need. I just want to make sure they're as safe as my mk4 was.
Life is more precious than you know. One second you're enjoying the thrill of the ride, and the next your life is over. There's no negotiating, no second guesses, no time to rethink your actions. Most people aren't as lucky as I am to have a second chance, and I don't intend to handle it lightly.
Take it easy out there.
Rob
[This message has been edited by nsx808 (edited 01 June 2001).]