A 36-year old female had an accident several
weeks ago and totaled her car. A resident of Kilgore, Texas, she
was traveling between Gladewater and Kilgore. It was raining,
though not excessive, when her car suddenly began to hydroplane
and literally flew through the air.
She was not seriously injured but very
stunned at the sudden occurrence!
When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened,
he told her something that every driver should know; "Never
drive in the rain with your cruise control on."
She had thought she was being cautious
by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe consistent
speed in the rain. But the highway patrolman told her that if
the cruise control is on and your car begins to hydroplane . .
. when your tires lose contact with the pavement your car
will accelerate to a higher rate of speed and you take off like
an airplane.
She told the patrolman that was exactly
what had occurred. We all know you have little or no control over
a car when it begins to hydroplane. You are at the mercy of providence.
The highway patrol estimated her car was actually traveling through
the air at 10 to 15 miles per hour faster than the speed set on
the cruise control.
The patrolman said this warning should
be listed on the driver's side's sun-visor . . .
NEVER USE THE
CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET OR ICY
. . . along with a child-airbag
warning.
We tell our teenagers to set the cruise
control and drive a safe speed, but many don't ever tell them
to use the cruise control only when the pavement is dry.
The only person the accident victim found
who knew this was a man who had had a similar accident, totaled
his car, and sustained severe injuries.
"Tell
as many people as possible. It could save a life, maybe even yours."
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