Accident during Ayrshire Run, 29/07/2007 - Story and Pics

Digital · Post by **Digital** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 12:38 pm

Dezzy, really sorry to hear about this, I had only been admiring your car the day before

Glad to see you escaped relatively unscathed though, all the best with getting the insurance side of things sorted out

Jamie

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:06 pm

The police took some photos of the scene, but no detailed analysis or measurements (I think Crash Investigation only come if it's major or fatal).

I've got lots of photos of both cars, the road and the bend. I may also go back again to take more, so may give you a shout Mac and take you up on your offer of examining the road. Cheers!

Thanks for all the PM's folks. I'll try to reply to them all at some point today!

BTW, the police never questioned me at all about being out on a run with other like minded Lotus owner friends. I guess the witnesses may have mentioned it, but it wasn't mentioned to me.

Cheers,
D

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:19 pm

Hi Dezzy

Glad to hear from you and pleased that you are in one piece.

It was a aweful feeling when we heard what happened, and then heading away (as we knew Ken was with you and Shug was heading back).

Main thing though is that you are okay

You'll soon back in a Lotus very soon I'm sure.

Ironically enough the ambulance that was heading for you guys almost took me out on its way to you cutting a corner.

Look forward to seeing you again soon, and don't be too down hearted, these things are sent to try us!

Andy G

craigieb · Post by **craigieb** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:29 pm

i can't believe i missed this post until now - dezzy mate, glad you are ok and gutted for you to read about the accident.

i can only repeat the sentiments of everyone above and add that my recent pax in your car at knockers reinforced my opinion of your driving as very safe, smooth and sensible.

take care chief and hope to catch up with you soon.

cheers
craig

calvin · Post by **calvin** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:59 pm

Dezzy

Really sorry to hear about your crash, but as everyone has said, at least you're okay!

Please let us know if we can be of any help at all.

Take care of yourself
Lorna
x

Brian J · Post by **Brian J** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 3:39 pm

Sorry to hear that - sounded all very nasty.

As others have said - look forward to seeing you in a Lotus again soon.

(And just after I was admiring your driving following you up to SIDC KH - and you were on your own side of the road then too - which I certainly wasn't

)

Bada Bing! · Post by **Bada Bing!** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 4:35 pm

Sounds shocking mate, and I know what it's like to be in a sporty car and have the police instantly assume your guilt because of what you drive. From the pictures it looks exactly like they cut the corner and scraped up your driver's side.

If you were at the back of a pack (no idea how close you were to the car in front) then the oncoming driver should have been very aware of cars on the other carriageway and driven accordingly. Sounds very much like yet another older driver not the least bit aware of the traffic and road around him.

I must admit when I began reading the story that I assumed you were in the wrong too, purely because I don't know you and I know how certain people drive at meets to show off. But reading the details it seems reasonable to conclude that the old bugger hit you and not vice versa.

Best of luck with the proceedings, and don't let it get you down. We all have these moments when we question what and how we drive. You obviously love cars, and don't let that be affected by this stuff. If you can take anything away from the incident it's perhaps to drive more assertively/cautiously but to be honest being the last car in a huge pack is probably the safest place to be on a meet.

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 4:49 pm

Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments regarding my driving standards. I passed my IAM advanced driving test in September 2005, being told by the traffic cop who passed me that I was well above average. I'm now an instructor and committee member for my IAM group and I do mock tests (called progress drives) to actually assess other people's driving and decide if they're good enough to go for the IAM test. I therefore know that I'm a very careful, safe, smooth driver and follow all the principles in the police driver manual, Roadcraft, at all times. They surely have to take that into consideration when assessing the driving standards of both drivers involved!

Since starting to drive again on Wednesday (in my courtesy car), I have however been very cautious and now treat every other road user as a threat. I'm still confident in my abilities, knowing that I was not in the wrong on Sunday, but I'll probably still be a bit nervous for a while.

Cheers,
D

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 5:09 pm

dezzy wrote:Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments regarding my driving standards. I passed my IAM advanced driving test in September 2005, being told by the traffic cop who passed me that I was well above average. I'm now an instructor and committee member for my IAM group and I do mock tests (called progress drives) to actually assess other people's driving and decide if they're good enough to go for the IAM test. I therefore know that I'm a very careful, safe, smooth driver and follow all the principles in the police driver manual, Roadcraft, at all times. They surely have to take that into consideration when assessing the driving standards of both drivers involved!

Since starting to drive again on Wednesday (in my courtesy car), I have however been very cautious and now treat every other road user as a threat. I'm still confident in my abilities, knowing that I was not in the wrong on Sunday, but I'll probably still be a bit nervous for a while.

Cheers,
D

I too am an IAM member, and former assessor & committee member of my local group. I have to admit, i have let my IAM driving standards slip in recent years, but while confident, still believe that anythinig can happen. I am confident in my own car control (having had a bash at motorsport too), but never rule out other's stupidity, or making errors myself. I believe keeping my own vunerability in mind, is what has kept me safe over the years. As illustrated in your case, we can never know what's round the next corner.

Being 'a bit nervous' is no bad thing. I know you never took risks, but being 'a bit nervous' will be help you re-gain your rightfull confidence.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 5:17 pm

I take it that IAM does not extend to JCB forklift truck driving then?

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 5:27 pm

RICHARDHUMBLE wrote:I take it that IAM does not extend to JCB forklift truck driving then?

http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... php?t=9368

tigger2 · Post by **tigger2** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 6:18 pm

sorry to hear about this mate, main thing is you are ok.

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 6:57 pm

Dezzy this may be a long shot...but...when that wheel was torn from your car by something slightly higher than half its height. ie the bumper of that car, (as it would create a partial downward force on it for a small distance maybe even up to a foot) it may have left rubber on the road at the exact point of impact.

If you can find it, that would be the single most definitive proof of the positions of both cars at the point of impact.

If not, you may need to resort to the accurate story telling we are talking about.

I agree with Richard...steer clear of opinion and judgement, and stick to pure categorical facts. Landmarks and timings help, which unfortunately there may be a lack of on such a bland piece of road...but you know the scene better than any of us.

Good luck bud...

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:29 pm

Derek

Just catching up on my reading and feel gutted for you.

I know how much you cherish and look after your car.

As many others have mentioned I too have travelled behind you in road runs and your driving standard is excellent. I have no doubt about at all about your account of events and certainly, in my mind, sounds the only plausible cause. Hopefully the insurers will agree. No doubt it will be a lengthy process but you will get there I am sure.

Keep your chin up and I look forward to seeing you in a Lotus soon

Stewart

Post by **campbell** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 10:03 pm

Dezzy,

Dreadful news.

Can't recall the exact layout of that section of road, but clearly we drove it a week previous on the Campaganza!

Strikes me that, with hedgerows etc (could only infer this from a couple of your pics) it's conceivable Mr Older Driver Person looked across the corner in an IAM-stylee and didn't see your Elise approaching due to its very, very low height. Proceeded to cut said corner (in attempt to impress Mrs Older Driver Person's Wifey - joke!) and collected an innocently approaching Elise.

Or he was just a bit distracted. Have seen a staggering amount of downright dangerous, doddery driving from the older fraternity of late, and it genuinely astounds me that these people can get *discounted* insurance from most companies. Sheesh.

Obviously, total conjecture, what the h*ll do I know.

Anyways - hope you are picking up, be sure to look forward to getting behind the wheel of an Elise again soon and if it's a write-off, pocket half the insurance money and get an S1, you know it makes sense [chortle].

Aw ra best.

Campbell