The 350Z Saved my Life...Literally
The 350Z Saved my Life...Literally
Well today has been a crazy one that many over their life times will be able to relate to. Around noon today I was traveling N on highway 23 when an old woman decides to cross the highway in a Buick. Immediately I thought, "This is not happening, how can she not see me coming?!" Surely enough, she kept on her path to cross the highway (using one of those rural service roads) and forced me to make a split second decision that ultimately saved me, my buddy's and this grandmother's lives. I knew that I could not brake from 55-60mph in time and that if I swerved it had to be to the left as I could not afford to go into oncoming traffic. As soon as I hit the ditch we shoot straight into a foot thick phone poll and then proceed to get hit from the side and swerve off into a ditch. Luckily she just clipped my back end so the force just sent us spinning as opposed to actually inflicting damage to myself or my passenger.
Point being, the 350Z has some remarkable safety features and is designed well enough that I am able to write this the same day from my home, alive. I owned a touring model with side airbags which saved my head on impact, and the front crash beam and engine were able to reflect much of the energy from the cabin. The cars low center of gravity and great support beams throughout allowed us to absorb so much without flipping that I am still amazed. I have the link to the photo below and I am sure the car will be totaled. Therefore you can be assured I will be looking for a new one on the forums.
To conclude, I just want everyone to know how great of a car they have when it even shines so brightly in the safety aspect. This is something that drew me in when I bought the car and obviously, I will never forget or regret purchasing a Nissan 350z. Also, I want everyone to be cautious of elderly drivers and to encourage new legislation in their states if possible to ensure proper testing is conducted before they are able to renew their license. I know I am going to be writing my congressman and will be working with several other families to rewrite the statutes so that no one faces the loss of a loved one, as clearly this woman should not have been on the road and could have destroyed so many lives in a fraction of a second.
Point being, the 350Z has some remarkable safety features and is designed well enough that I am able to write this the same day from my home, alive. I owned a touring model with side airbags which saved my head on impact, and the front crash beam and engine were able to reflect much of the energy from the cabin. The cars low center of gravity and great support beams throughout allowed us to absorb so much without flipping that I am still amazed. I have the link to the photo below and I am sure the car will be totaled. Therefore you can be assured I will be looking for a new one on the forums.
To conclude, I just want everyone to know how great of a car they have when it even shines so brightly in the safety aspect. This is something that drew me in when I bought the car and obviously, I will never forget or regret purchasing a Nissan 350z. Also, I want everyone to be cautious of elderly drivers and to encourage new legislation in their states if possible to ensure proper testing is conducted before they are able to renew their license. I know I am going to be writing my congressman and will be working with several other families to rewrite the statutes so that no one faces the loss of a loved one, as clearly this woman should not have been on the road and could have destroyed so many lives in a fraction of a second.
Last edited by seductiveSRT; May 9, 2009 at 03:40 PM.
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OMG....glad you're ok. I've been thinking the same thing for years. Old folks...once they hit a certain age, should have to be forced to take hand eye coordination exams yearly to keep their licenses active.
no test...no drive....
heck you can make the test free so they can afford it
no test...no drive....
heck you can make the test free so they can afford it
Glad that the car did its job and that you made a good split second decision to avoid a horrible head on with other traffic.
I have long felt that the elderly need much more frequent testing to renew their licenses. My great-aunt is 93 and can't drive worth a damn. She drives into oncoming traffic without even realizing it!!! She was driving until her health prevented it. It should have been the state of Arizona stopping her, not her health. When they issue a new D/L in Arizona, it is good until age 65! A 16 yr old getting a license won't have to renew until they are retirement age! A lot can change in that time.
I have long felt that the elderly need much more frequent testing to renew their licenses. My great-aunt is 93 and can't drive worth a damn. She drives into oncoming traffic without even realizing it!!! She was driving until her health prevented it. It should have been the state of Arizona stopping her, not her health. When they issue a new D/L in Arizona, it is good until age 65! A 16 yr old getting a license won't have to renew until they are retirement age! A lot can change in that time.
Understood
Man,
You were so lucky you were not in some other car, with the same impact.
My 2003 expired in 2004 when a young lady was test driving, accomanied by one of my Club members.
She impacted a stopped Chevy Trail Blazer head on. The car folded up. Front air bags deployed. Side's did not.
She had a sore Boob for a while. And my buddy bruised his chest. But nothing life threating.
The girl looked at me, thinking - Don't Know !
I told her it was just a car. That I was concerned about her, and my buddy.
The 350Z did it's job.. Protect the driver and passenger.
Cheers Amy
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You were so lucky you were not in some other car, with the same impact.
My 2003 expired in 2004 when a young lady was test driving, accomanied by one of my Club members.
She impacted a stopped Chevy Trail Blazer head on. The car folded up. Front air bags deployed. Side's did not.
She had a sore Boob for a while. And my buddy bruised his chest. But nothing life threating.
The girl looked at me, thinking - Don't Know !
I told her it was just a car. That I was concerned about her, and my buddy.
The 350Z did it's job.. Protect the driver and passenger.
Cheers Amy
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Sorry to hear about the loss, but your ok and that's all that really matters... The 350 looked stock, so you know what that means... Time for a new purchase. Hope everything works out well for ya.
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Glad you're ok and the 350Z is indeed a safe car to be in. Be careful what you wish for as far as old folks being tested. Remember that someday you too will be old and you will have to live with the rules that you would like to have passed now while you're young. Sure, there are some old people who should give up driving just as there are people of all ages that have no business behind the wheel. Perhaps if you would like to see safer roads there should be laws that absolutely no one under age 25 will be allowed to operate a motor vehicle. Don't be so quick to lump all drivers into a category based on their age. In case you're curious I'm 71 and drive a Z pretty well I'll wager and also ride a new Harley Dyna Lowrider pretty well also. Mark Martin who is, I believe, over 50 years old has won two NASCAR races this year (just won Darlington tonight).