jns131

Fri, Sep 21, 2012 : 1:58 a.m.

My husband was being Mr nice guy and did the same thing. WCSD called him stupid for doing this and told him he could ticket him for doing such but didn't. Figured he learned a lesson. Stupid is as stupid does. Glad no one was hurt. Was a lesson this had to be learned. Again.

pegret

Thu, Sep 20, 2012 : 1:58 p.m.

Granted, they are right up the street, but emergency vehicles from Scio Twp, were literally there within seconds of this accident. Hope everyone is ok.

Dexterdriver

Thu, Sep 20, 2012 : 12:04 p.m.

I think most people would agree that it's not worth saving a few minutes when you are risking your and other people's lives. Take whatever time is needed. Don't set up others for disaster by letting them sneak across, even if they seem agitated. Let them wait. Otherwise, they may regret their haste the rest of their lives.

aaisaplus

Thu, Sep 20, 2012 : 3:38 a.m.

By the comments it looks like there are differing definitions of what the article describes as "tried to let the car out". Some think it implies waving somebody others through (do we know that is what actually happened?). Another implies stopping in a manner that would cause someone to rear-end you. And maybe I'm wrong, but it seems some think it means just providing space before the entrance/exit, which I think is taking it too far. I've encountered many lots and intersections that have signs that state "do not block driveway/intersection". Even when it doesn't, and the car ahead of me stops just past the driveway, I usually stop just short to leave room for cars coming in or out. I feel this is the standard of what is expected. I do agree its a bad idea to wave drivers through and never do it myself (is that what we're calling "letting them out"?) But its up to the other drivers coming or going if maneuvering is safe or not, and I'm not going to block the means of egress just to be the nanny of other drivers.

5c0++ H4d13y

Thu, Sep 20, 2012 : 2:32 a.m.

Those of us that ride motorcycle call it "killer courtesy". People do it to me all the time and often when I refuse they refuse my refusal. Just drive your car. You're not a traffic cop.

jeanette

Thu, Sep 20, 2012 : 1:49 a.m.

maybe the bp and mcdonalds should close their entrances/exits and tie their lots into the plaza's road w/the light ,or the partial road along side of big boy. would that work? seems like it would help clear up a lot of the cluster that occurs there in the am/noon/rush hours. so pay attention and help save lives

justcurious

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 11:11 p.m.

Here is Rich Kinsey's article on this type of situation. http://www.annarbor.com/news/opinion/good-samaritan-left-turn-crashes/#.UFpQikKMwtU

TimWofAA

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 10:43 p.m.

I agree with Soothslayer and many others here. Years ago, I was t-boned by someone pulling out into traffic like this because he did not see me coming and I did not see him. VERY dangerous. AND I got stuck in the traffic snarls this morning from this accident-- better late than to be part of it. But someone's hurry to make an obviously dangerous left turn and someone else's "good deed" affected a lot of people and no one felt better afterward.

shepard145

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.

Years ago I saw an accident just like this. Someone trying to be nice waved a car into traffic and it was nailed by a car flying down a lane neither of them could see. Fortunately that case was on a long curve and folks were driving slower so, while spectacular entertainment wise, nobody was seriously injured. I agree with those complaining about drivers education and common sense - both need some help. Those inclined to spend some extra money to keep a kid safer, don't waste it on Karate or something stupid like that - send them to a professional European, all-weather driving school - the few grand is worth learning a skill that may save their lives one day.

daytona084

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 9:02 p.m.

Another suggestion: I never *ever* make a left turn out of a gas station in a situation like this (with backed-up traffic). I suggest either: 1. go to a gas station on the other side of the road 2. stop for gas on the return trip (when traveling in the opposite direction) 3. make a right turn and go around the block if that's convenient

Em

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 7:40 p.m.

It actually happened more around 7:40, not 8am. It had just happened when I went through around 7:45

In doubt

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 6:25 p.m.

It is wonderful that people want to be nice to others, but not in this situation, sadly. When someone lets a car out, that person just assumes that it is ok to go. What they are missing is that anytime you pull out you should check for traffic yourself--- regardless. It doesn't mean they have checked traffic for you and it is ok to go. That is pulling out blindly into a lane. It breaks my heart because I know a very nice young fifteen year old that was killed just this way. This should be on every drivers test so that people will know not to "let someone out" because they usually assume that nothing is coming, and not to pull out if someone tries to let you because it is too dangerous.

treetowncartel

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 5:11 p.m.

Wait for it to clear, whether in a car on foot or pedaling.

Stephanie

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 4:54 p.m.

People sure do like to place all the blame on the nice person even if it is not all their fault. Just because someone tells you to go, doesn't mean you have to do it. If you can't see what's coming then don't go! Use some common sense! That whole area is a death trap. Every single day, twice a day I see people pulling out in front of traffic because that is the only way they will ever get out. Cannot believe there is not an accident there on a daily basis. Seriously poor planning.

jsusan036

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 4:50 p.m.

The sun in the morning, especially on such a clear day, is right in your eyes when you are pulling out of the BP Gas Station, McDonalds or anywhere for that matter when you are facing East (or West... in the evening). I was thinking about that when I was just coming down Zeeb Road this morning before seeing this accident. I'm sure that coupled with busy traffic and making a left-hand turn, this only added one more problem that may have contributed to this terrible accident. I am so sorry to hear about how bad this accident was for all involved. I spoke briefly to a gentleman this morning who was apparently the first one on the scene. He seemed quite shaken up about it, but he managed to keep his head on straight and calm & reassure the victims until EMS arrived. Might not seem like a big deal to some people, but his efforts to keep this victims calm and still while waiting for help would seem to help make a big difference when help does arrive. Especially looking back a week or two ago with the accident that involved Nathan Tracy - who possibly walked away from the scene of the accident in shock. My thoughts and prayers to all of those involved this morning and good work to the gentleman who was first on the scene as well as all of the emergency personnel who arrived so very QUICKLY!!!!! Jamie W. Dexter, MI

FrankOZ

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 4:19 p.m.

I never, never, never allow people out when traffic is backed up and I am in the right lane when there are two lanes of traffic going in the same direction. There is no guarantee that a car won't come up in the left lane and hit the exiting car. I may seem like a crank doing that, but I really don't want anyone to get hit due to my good deed.

a2susan

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 4:15 p.m.

That little car didn't have a chance against a van. I hope the driver and passengers are okay. What a terrible way to start the day, not knowing how easily your life can be changed in a nanosecond.

Richelle

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 4:12 p.m.

I agree with Soothslayer. And the worst part about this is at that gas station there is a second entrance/ exit. That exit is a dead end into a parking lot one way and a light the other to turn onto the road he wanted to be on. This could have been avoided. I hope he survives this. So sad.

arborlib

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.

It's crazy how busy that area of Zeeb has become. We moved into a neighboring subdivision in 1986, and what was once an easy trip onto Zeeb has become so busy - especially if you attempt to turn left off of Pratt Rd. I'm actually surprised there aren't more accidents near that location.

skipfreely

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 3:57 p.m.

At that gas station,most people are turning right, so when I "hold the door" I usually think they are going south, but I can see where I should prolly not do that for people anymore, or at least make sure they have a turn signal, showing their direction...

Robert Coon

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 3:53 p.m.

In that particular area in Scio Township you have a slew of concerns. You have the the I-94 Westbound Exit cutting off drivers coming out of Baxter Plaza. Obviously, there is an issue with left turners coming out of MacDonald's and BP. Another issue is when there is a power outage overnight which brings us back to the off ramp and Zeeb intersection, now without the certainty of a working traffic light. I'd like to add that there are lots of bad drivers in the A2 area. Here are most of the problem drivers you have to deal with when driving in A2: *****Tunnel Vision***** - Text While Driving - Rash Lane Changes - Inappropriately Holding Up Traffic - Me First Attitude - Excessively Hesitant - Unable to Stay In Lane. When are drivers going to finally wise up? What happened to driver education? What happened to common sense?

pawky

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 3:30 p.m.

The same thing happened to me on Washtenaw Ave. Resist the temptation to do this and shrug off the dirty looks. Yep, Kinsey recently wrote about this dangerous practice.

AlwaysLate

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.

Another example of: "No good deed goes unpunished." As many of you have noted, I never let people out of side streets, driveways or (most often) gas stations for just this reason. The resulting wrath from the person wanting to get out is easier to take when I consider that I may have just saved their life.

simone66

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 3:19 p.m.

I am now convinced that the A2 area has the worst drivers. Not a morning goes by when there is a horrific accident in the area.

nickcarraweigh

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 3:11 p.m.

Glad to see a gratuitous plug for Grant's Auto & Truck Repair. Buy local.

annarborfan

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 2:38 p.m.

I was in a similar accident as well. Some nice person told the driver to 'go ahead' and they turned left right in front of me and t-boned my car with a 1 year old in her car seat. I could have killed the idiot, both idiots actually.

rs

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 2:34 p.m.

A friend that is a lawyer once told me to never waive traffic through in situation like this or at 4-way stops because if an accident occurs, you could be held liable. Since hearing that, I've become the "mean guy" that never lets anybody in. I get a few fingers here and there, but I've never created any accidents by waiving others into oncoming traffic. Pick your poison I guess.

djacks24

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.

"one motorist tried to let the car out, but the driver, a 30-year-old man from the Toledo, Ohio, apparently couldn't see the southbound van in the other lane." Somehow there has to be someone being nice involved. I was involved in a similar accident 10 years ago where someone was being nice letting someone turn left out of a restaurant. They guy didn't see me coming and pulled out right in front of me and I T-boned the drivers side of his vehicle. Luckily, I hit his left front fender and not directly into the drivers door. It doesn't pay to be nice (at least when you are allowing someone to make a blind left turn into oncoming traffic).

Chip Reed

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.

I believe Officer Kinsey addressed this very dangerous practice in a recent column.

Soothslayer

Wed, Sep 19, 2012 : 2:15 p.m.

This is why "holding the door" for someone that is turning into a blind lane is VERY DANGEROUS. Don't do it. Everyone can take turns and wait (or go out a different entrance to head the way they want at the light).