Thank you to the seatbelt and airbag engineers!

sbIt was right around this time of year in 2005 that I was involved in an automobile accident in Tempe Arizona. I was cruising down Warner Ave on the way to the skatepark of Tempe around 9pm at night. At the time, I was driving a blue 1996 Nissan Altima GXE. I was about 1 mile from my destination, driving in the right hand lane on Warner, heading west-bound. A car in front of me started to slow down, so I engaged my left turn signal and moved into the left-hand lane. As I started to pass the slowing car, a pickup truck dashed out from a side street attempting to turn left through my path of travel. I was headed straight for the pickup truck, so I slammed on my brakes with all possible force. I felt the anti-lock brake mechanisms kick into affect, but my car still started to skid…

BAM!!! I slammed right into the side of the pickup truck at over 40 miles per hour. It was almost a perfect T-bone. I do not believe that I actually went unconscious at any time, but I was in complete shock. The cars’ airbag had deployed, punching me squarely in the face. I remember sitting in my car after the accident, motionless. The shock must have briefly paralyzed me. A passerby yelled at me, awakening me from my brief daze. I touched my face, expecting to find some cuts or blood but everything felt as though it was in order. I looked around and saw gas and fumes rising from parts of the car. I exited my car and gazed around at the accident scene. The front of my car was completely compacted. Gas was rising from the car. Liquid was dripping from the car and running down the road. I quickly retreated to the sidewalk at the side of the street and waited for police to arrive.

Thank you to the seatbelt and airbag engineers! I would have been seriously injured and possibly killed if I had not been wearing my seatbelt. The airbag helped me to walk away almost completely unscathed. I was also wearing a jacket, which prevented bruising and irritation from the seatbelt strap. So wear your seatbelt! It could save your life and prevent serious injury.

About Wes Novack

Wesley Novack is a Technologist working in the software industry, with extensive experience building and managing highly available applications, services, and systems in the public cloud. He has a breadth of experience in online publishing, the consumer electronics industry, and building internet communities. Wes enjoys hanging with his family, skateboarding, hiking, the vegan lifestyle, and a good cup of tea. You can find him on Twitter @WesleyTech.

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4 Comments on “Thank you to the seatbelt and airbag engineers!”

  1. Okay….i don’t remember you telling me about this. It sure would have been nice to know a year ago!!! I’m glad you’re okay. Love, Ant Y

  2. I didn’t know it was that bad for cry eye!!! You didn’t tell me you were in a fog and you didn’t quite describe it how you did on your website!!! You didn’t even tell me the airbag deployed!!!

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