Car Collides Head-on with C-Train on 7 Ave

[Shin Pad]

Originally Posted by Husky

I read somewhere under downtown is a high water table/river runs through it so its impossible.

Waterproofing makes it possible.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Originally Posted by Handsome B. Wonderful

And yet, somehow buildings downtown have underground parkades.

And yet, somehow when a new skyscraper is being started in Calgary, the giant hole they dig in the ground isn't flooded.

And yet, somehow London built a subway.

And the building I live in on 6th Ave has an annual underground parkade flooding. If you don't know don't speak as if you do.

Edit: as a result of the ice pack on the river. I'm not saying a subway is not possible, I'm saying that there is flooding as a result of the close proximity to the river.

[Ozy_Flame]

This happened as I was standing the next stop down. I heard something in the distance, but wasn't sure what it was. All I know is that the train looked like it wasn't moving, and that the eastbound train came to a stop in the intersection area. 5 minutes later, the sirens and emergency vehicles were on scene. I knew that wasn't going to get any better, so I took a cab home.

FYI, it took me a while to find a cab. I actually found a bus that was supposed to be a shuttle for stranded passengers, but he wasn't ready to pick people up yet. I knocked on his door window and the guy gave me the finger. Looked like Barry from Storage Wars so I gave him some points for the expected cheekiness, but I still reported him.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Cole436

Completely inappropriate to be jumping on the soapbox right now.

Lets just hope that the passengers injuries aren't severe.

I don't think its inappropriate at all, if anything its an object lesson to what happens when your careless when your driving a car.

Its a text book tragedy in that the driver got off uninjured, the passenger bore the brunt of driver stupidity.

If we can't discuss the issues when they happen and act as a real life example, then when do we discuss them, when the discussion means nothing?

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by flameswin

I seriously doubt that would be effective/matter to her at this point, assuming the passenger is a family member/friend.

Unless the point is to make sure that she's punished for the benifit of angry people reading of the accident.

Nope, she clearly broke the law, she seriously injured the passenger because of her driving, she probably scared the train driver for life.

Its not about being angry, its about the fact that she broke the law, and letting her go because she feels guilty is not how the law works.

The aww he or she has been punished enough is an invalid legal argument.

[Cole436]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I don't think its inappropriate at all, if anything its an object lesson to what happens when your careless when your driving a car.

Its a text book tragedy in that the driver got off uninjured, the passenger bore the brunt of driver stupidity.

If we can't discuss the issues when they happen and act as a real life example, then when do we discuss them, when the discussion means nothing?

I just think it was completely unnecessary, as it offers no solution, constructive ideas or thoughts. It's complaining for complainings sake, and offers a horrible generalization of drivers. Do you have statistical evidence for Calgarians becoming worse drivers, or is that out of your own perception? Also think about your timing. You posted something like this less then two hours after the accident. Be a little sensitive for cripes sake.

[WhiteTiger]

Crazy. I always hate hearing about this sort of thing.

[Minnie]

Holy thread police, Batman.

CC, turns out the driver was male, at least that's what the news reports are saying.

[Traditional_Ale]

I got held up in this, having to vacate the train at Victoria Park Stampede for a shuttle-bus that didn't seem to know where it was going. After the bus looped around the Zoo and back into downtown I got off around fourth street and walked the entire length of the tracks towards the Kerby Station, hoping to catch a train to 69th. It was really eerie. The guy on the intercom said something about "thank-you for choosing Calgary Transit" as events unfolded. Three other train riders cost me three smokes and a bus ticket. A pretty good deal for my legs, if you ask me; although I had no idea at the time.

Thoughts and prayers.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The amount of people who get their drivers license by having the instructor "help them" in this city and province is staggering. All anecdotal evidence of course but it's shocking.

I was at the registry office yesterday and when I was waiting in line I looked over and the computer where a guy was taking his test. I just glanced over before I was called to the front and saw that he had 6 right and 2 wrong, 6 wrong is a fail.

There are 30 questions and I was there for half an hour, when I left he was still writing the test. I fear for us if he manages to get a licence.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Cole436

Completely inappropriate to be jumping on the soapbox right now.

Lets just hope that the passengers injuries aren't severe.

That is the same idiotic thinking that the NRA tries to use to prevent discussions on gun control.

This is the most appropriate time to be talking about the quality of drivers. And this is the time where each one of us should be thinking a little bit more about our habits on the road. Because right now, the consequences of being stupid, distracted or incompetent are pretty damn obvious to see.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

The driver is likely to be charged with running a red light. Justice will be served!!

[AR_Six]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Its a text book tragedy in that the driver got off uninjured, the passenger bore the brunt of driver stupidity.

I have my own soapbox to jump on after reading this thread, and it is the unforgivable misuse of the word "tragedy" by all concerned. A tragedy requires hubris on the part of the tragic protagonist who inevitably meets a terrible fate as a consequence of said hubris.

This was not a tragedy, textbook or otherwise. A car accident is never a tragedy. For a car accident to have been a tragedy, the driver would have to have woken up that morning and said something like, "I am the greatest driver ever to have driven the Earth! When I am in my car, I am invincible. Why, not even Hermes could cause me to crash my car!" I am assuming this did not occur.

Every time something like this happens people start lobbing the term "tragic" around and it seems an inappropriate time to talk about diction so I always just let it go. Well, NO MORE! A stand must be taken! As Jean-luc would say, the line must be drawn here! This far, and no farther! I am making my stand!

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteEbola

The driver is likely to be charged with running a red light. Justice will be served!!

More likely dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

More likely dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

I suppose that could be, I'm not a traffic investigator, nor do I pretend to be one on an internet forum.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

More likely dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

Dangerous driving is usually more than just running a light. 40 over the limit, racing, stuff like that. Running a red is pretty common and would not necessarily be criminally negligent or reckless behaviour.

As for the posts about taking an hour to get the lady out, that's not really that bad. If the person is not dying from there wounds theres no need to rush. Laying the seat back and cutting off the roof is a great way to extract. I doubt her legs were severed, that would be life threatening and the extraction would have been hastened. A broken femur is one of the most painful things a person can have happen and might explain the pain, but it's recoverable.

Just a few thoughts. Wasn't there so take that for what it's worth.

[polak]

Holy over reaction Batman.

Yes lets have complete licensing reform because someone ran a red light.

Jesus christ.

Driving in Canada is pretty safe. Far safer then the vast majority of the world. Everyone needs to relax.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Its a text book tragedy in that the driver got off uninjured, the passenger bore the brunt of driver stupidity.

That's the most infuriating part of the story, of course it would turn out that way. What a complete moron

[Brannigans Law]

I think running a red light is ######ed. Big time. But we've all done it at some point. In my neighborhood at 3 am on a Saturday with no one in sight I've waited 20 seconds and shouted a profanity then driven thru. No harm. Where I think the difference lies is during rush hour downtown and going over train tracks. Running a red in that situation is really stupid.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by polak

Holy over reaction Batman.

Yes lets have complete licensing reform because someone ran a red light.

Jesus christ.

Driving in Canada is pretty safe. Far safer then the vast majority of the world. Everyone needs to relax.

If the reaction was based solely on a single incident then sure, total overreaction, but it's not. It seems like getting a license is far too easy and there are way too many drivers out there who seem to have no concept of basic save driving skills.