How to be safe driving your Model A

nkaminar

nkaminar

Well-known member
Recent reports in my local club of two serous accidents have prompted this thread.

Update: One of the husbands in one of the accidents died. I don't know any of the details and he died days after the accident so it could have not been related. He was an older gentleman.

I read a recent report that most accidents occur at intersections and that the serious ones are where a car hits the driver side of the vehicle, or the passenger side when there is a passenger. Examples are people running lights or stop signs or turning in front of your car, which I see frequently. This has prompted me to not proceed through a green light until I check for traffic both ways.

We all have to be safe when driving our Model A's. What are your thoughts?
 
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I’ve been driving defensively in modern or old cars for 20 - 30 years ! You gotta keep your head on a swivel , the other drivers are amateur drivers ! When I drove a motorcycle , EVERY car out there was going to hurt me !
 
Paul. I like that, but I will make one change.

Life is short, so eat dessert first, then go for a Model A ride!
 
I had three red light runners yesterday. I stopped in a double left turn lane (as the light turned yellow) the light turned red and three cars passed me to turn left. Seems very common here.

I have always done the "right, left, right" check before proceeding. Also, if I can't see around a vehicle (lots of huge pickup trucks here), they get to go through the light first.
 
I always try to use a "Blocker" when taking off from a light. Let the guy next to you make the first move.

What is really getting to be a major issue around here is kids (and some adults) on e-bikes burning stop signs in residential areas. No regard for traffic rules at all.
 
I've been riding motorcycles for almost 60 years. Like some of you on here, I assume that the primary goal of everyone on the road is to kill me today and I drive/ride accordingly. I've had that attitude all these years and drive/ride (old or late model) cars/trucks/cycles the same way. So far so good.

There is snow on the ground right now so I'm going to move the A out in front of my house and snap some pix. Shouldn't have to drive defensively in my own driveway.
 
I agree that red light runners are a big problem but most of the "accidents" involving our cars that I hear of here are modern motorists running into the back of our older, slower cars. I can't figure out why that is, just is.
As for red lights, it is the law here that a driver must stop on the amber light if safe to do so and MUST be stopped by the time it turns red yet we still see people driving through the red. Crazy!
 
Synchro909 said:
I agree that red light runners are a big problem but most of the "accidents" involving our cars that I hear of here are modern motorists running into the back of our older, slower cars. I can't figure out why that is, just is.
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Not an excuse for rear ending someone, but I have seen some pretty dim rear lights on Model As. It doesn't help that they only have one. I run LEDs in all rear lights and a flashing RED one in the center. I hope it helps the driver behind me texting on his cell phone...

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Here is the unit that flashed my third brake light. https://www.amazon.com/United-Pacific-90655-Attention-Module/dp/B007I6P26Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 
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Todays distracted drivers are a concern for all of us. I bought this emergency strobe and use it regularly. I can tell you that it is extremely bright and annoying to distracted drivers behind you!! It's rechargeable and uses strong magnets to attach to the car body...

https://www.amazon.com/BooYu-Operat...hargeable/dp/B0CTWT1MP3/?tag=atomicindus08-20


My wife was following me one day and told me how irritating it was to be behind me because of the extreme intensity of the light. It also has variable flash modes to help get attention. I highly recommend one of these for a little extra visibility. Inexpensive and helps other drivers see you!
 
Trapdoor said check "Right - Left - Right" before proceeding ... I was taught " Left - Right - Left" because the danger nearest to you at the intersection will be approaching from the left.

Joe B
 
JoeCB said:
Trapdoor said check "Right - Left - Right" before proceeding ... I was taught " Left - Right - Left" because the danger nearest to you at the intersection will be approaching from the left.

Joe B
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You both have good points, but I keep my head on a swivel. I look both ways at least two times and usually three or more.
 
We live in a world where modern 1.5 liter engines can produce 350 horsepower and people want to use their car as a time machine. I agree with everything said above and would add that I plan my Model A excursions to avoid rush hours and post Happy hour. We must always remember that distracted, drunk, drugged and dumb is the everyday norm.
 
If in an accident, always ask to see their phone/text/email/internet usage records. Make that part of the investigation right off the bat.

Mike
 
I used to teach the AT&T Driver Training Program when I worked phone company. One of the things we stressed was the a green light was the most dangerous one. Look before you proceed.
 
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