ellienihon | Powers of observation in emergencies

How observant are you when you're driving? I found out today that I'm not nearly as observant as I thought I was. I was on my way to work, within a half mile of my house, when the car in front of me hit a pedestrian. I stayed until the authorities showed up to be a witness, and realized how much I don't notice when I'm on the road. I was asked where I was, where the other car was, and where the people were.

The information I could give them was that I saw the white car ahead of me in the road, with the man flipping off of his hood and over to the other side of the street. The car continued for another 20 feet, then hit his brakes and stopped on the other side of the intersection. I'm pretty sure the other car stopped after I did. I didn't notice the pedestrians before they were hit (a man was walking with his parents), and I'm not sure whether he hit his brake lights before I saw the pedestrian fly. I suspect he didn't, because I think I would have noticed that (it was at a random place on the road.

I don't know what happened to the man who was hit; he was taken to the hospital. He wasn't dead when he left the scene, and appeared to have broken his leg and be scratched up a bit. Thank god he didn't land on his head. I was amazed at how high and far he flew. Cars are dangerous! I was also surprised at the effect on me as an observer. I wasn't hit, and I don't know any of the other people, but I am affected. I was held for an hour and a half to give my statement, and the physical rush of adrenaline was incredible. I haven't cried yet, but I definitely want to.

What apparently happened, was that the driver fell asleep at the wheel, drove onto the sidewalk and hit the pedestrian walking with his parents. (I missed or failed to notice this part) He swerved back onto the road with the man on his windshield, which is when I started paying attention.

Cars are scary!