'Very avoidable': Crash divides opinion after driver pulls out in front of car
Dashcam footage of a collision in Adelaide has divided opinion after a slow-to-react motorist struck a vehicle that pulled out into oncoming traffic.
In the clip, a black 4WD pulls out onto a busy South Road in the city’s southwest, crossing the southbound lanes as it attempts to turn right on New Year’s Eve.
Yet as the male driver looks to find a gap in the northbound traffic, an approaching motorist clips the back of the 4WD after failing to apply the brakes in time.
Following the collision, the black vehicle speeds off and tries to escape, but is pursued by the other vehicle and is eventually stopped down a side road.
The footage was shared to Dash Cam Owners Australia’s Facebook page on Tuesday and sparked a heated debate from users as to who was at fault for the crash.
While many identified the turning driver had attempted to turn at the wrong time, users also noted the crash could have been avoided if the other driver’s reactions had been better.
“That was very avoidable,” one comment read, garnering over 900 likes.
Others were far more brutal in their assessment, slamming the dashcam owner.
“DON’T U HAVE A BRAKE OR STEERING WHEEL IN YOUR CAR?” one proclaimed.
“You good sir have the reaction time of a turtle,” another suggested.
“Must have used the old Flintstone brake on that one,” a commenter joked.
But as comments flooded in berating the dashcam owner, others called for commenters to not forget the actions of the 4WD.
“I think everyone is missing the point that old mate just committed two offences, not giving way to oncoming traffic, then tried to get away without exchanging details,” one commented.
Mick Humphries, General Manager of the Australian Driver Trainers Association, told Yahoo News that there was “no two ways about it” the black car was at fault for the collision.
He also suggested while the approaching driver appeared to react slowly, their response was typical in that situation.
“A second or two of reaction times is quite normal, it’s about what it should have been,” he said.
Mr Humphries noted there was more concern with the driver’s subsequent pursuit, and if a second collision had occurred, the driver would not be able to defend themselves by claiming they were chasing after the 4WD.
