On a long distance trip and whilst attempting to overtake a truck on the highway, a vehicle rolled after the wheels struck the gravel on the side of the road and ejected the driver, who was not wearing seat belt. Due to the speed of the accident and the mechanical forces involved, the driver of the car sustained a severe right complex femur fracture, left femure fracture and multiple rib fractures. During the patient's ICU stay, he developed ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) due to a fat embolism thought to have originated from the multiple fracture sights. |
The patient required a prolonged period of assisted ventilation necessitating a lengthy hospital stay made up of several months. During the course of his treatment he acquired a multi-resistant organism which further prolonged his hospital stay. However, he is now ready to be discharged to a step down facility where he will begin rehabilitation.
1. Mirrors
Check the interior mirror followed by the right side mirror to assess traffic to the rear and ensure no vehicles are overtaking your vehicle. A quick look over the right shoulder may be necessary to ensure no vehicles are hidden in the blind spot. 2. Position Position your car just to the left centre line and not too close to the vehicle you intend on overtaking. This will give you the best possible view of the road ahead. 3. Speed Match your cars speed to that of the vehicle you intend on overtaking. You may need to change down a gear to increase acceleration whilst overtaking. 4. Look Look well ahead to ensure it is safe to overtake, that there are no oncoming vehicles, bends, dips, hills and that you have a gap to pull back into on the left. 5. Mirrors If all looks safe ahead, take a final look into the mirrors to ensure no vehicles are overtaking you. 6. Signal You must always signal to the right when overtaking to allow other motorists to acknowledge your intentions. 7. Manoeuvre Pull out onto the opposite side of the road smoothly, accelerate briskly passed the vehicle you are overtaking, keeping a good safe distance from their side. 8. Speed It's important to accelerate briskly but safely to reduce the time spent on the opposite carriageway. Ensure you do not exceed the speed limit however. 9. Mirrors When you have passed the vehicle you are overtaking, check the interior main mirror followed by the left side mirror to locate the vehicle you have overtaken. When the front of the vehicle you have overtaken appears in the main interior mirror, take this as a safe distance to pull back into the left lane. 10. Look If for whatever reason you are unsure about where the vehicle is that you have overtaken or are attempting to overtake, look quickly over your left shoulder into the blind spot to ensure the vehicle is not hidden from your mirrors viewing angle.
Borrowed from: http://www.drivingtesttips.biz
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An Injury and Prevention Awareness Project brought to you by Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital Trauma & Emergency Centre.