We’ve all been there — we approach an intersection, we have the right of way and we begin passing under the light when another motorist cuts in front of us. We screech to a stop, blow our horn and barely avoid an accident. We try to cool down as the other driver speeds off, often oblivious to what just happened.
But not everyone escapes unscathed.
A two-vehicle accident Sunday morning in Tioga County, Pa., sent two people to hospitals, all because a driver failed to yield the right of way, state police told WETM-TV.
Troopers said the driver of a Chevrolet Malibu failed to yield at an intersection in Charleston Township and struck a Toyota 4-Runner
The driver of the Malibu was transported to Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital in Wellsboro. A passenger was airlifted to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre. No further information on their conditions is available.
The driver of the 4-Runner was not injured.
The driver of the Malibu was charged with violating stop and yield signs.
The hospitalized driver and passenger are in our thoughts and prayers.
There are safety lessons for all of us who drive:
- When approaching intersections where you have the right of way, you are entitled to presume that other drivers will yield the right of way — but you do so at your own risk!
- There is often nothing that can be done when a careless driver pulls out in front of you, but you can attempt to minimize the risk of a collision by paying close attention to cars approaching your path of travel from side streets to make sure they are stopping, or if stopped, that they stay stopped.
- Also, always use your headlights if your windshield wipers are on. In these days of automatic headlights, we can sometimes forget to turn them on when the weather gets bad during the day.
And please remember, for the safety of everyone, don’t drive distracted or drowsy! We don’t know if either were a factor in this accident, but they often cause accidents, so it’s always safe to be a defensive and alert driver at all times.
Thanks for reading!
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ZiffLaw Attorney, Esq.
NY and PA Injury and Malpractice Attorney
The Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, NYÂ 14901
Phone: (607)733-8866
Fax: (607)732-6062
Email: info@zifflaw.com
