Comments on: The Accidental Journalist (an occasional series chronicling how predictable, preventable crashes are turned into accidents)

By: Don

Don — Wed, 05 May 2010 19:56:46 +0000

I would probably help too if they change the job title from Accident Reconstructionist to Crash Reconstructionist.

By: tyler

tyler — Sun, 02 May 2010 02:23:00 +0000

after reading your book I also bristle every time I hear the term “accident” when describing car crashes. as a Mpls resident these stories have been all over the news and while I consider myself a compassionate person and feel bad for the deceased’s families, I always think, “they were being stupid. I’m not surprised.” it’s unfortunate but it’s true. we need better driver training and more accountability.

By: Brian Ogilvie

Brian Ogilvie — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:36:22 +0000

Whoops, I missed the big “next page” link and arrow at the bottom of the page…the caffeine hadn’t kicked in.

By: Jim S

Jim S — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:25:04 +0000

It turns out that the driver was sober, but teens driving carloads of other teens are easily distracted.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 02:02:18 +0000

Since reading “Traffic: …” I’ve eliminated “accident” from my crash reporting and made sure our other reporters beware as well. I also ask about signs of distraction that may have been a factor.

By: Josh R

Josh R — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:36:17 +0000

Sadly Brian, there are three more pages to the article and the word “Accident” was used four times besides the one you mentioned, including this gem.

“Buchan often had said he was lucky to be alive, friends recalled. He had survived an earlier car accident in which he hit a silo and had a noticeable scar on his upper lip as a reminder, friends said.”

Those damn silos, cunningly sitting in the same spot for decade after decade, being all visible and not near any roads, lulling people in a false sense of security. There ought to be a law.

By: Brian Ogilvie

Brian Ogilvie — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:07:31 +0000

At least the only use of “accident” was in a job title (accident reconstructionist). The final paragraph is also worth noting: “‘Enough is enough,’ said Col. Mark Dunaski of the State Patrol. ‘Many of these crashes are preventable.’” The message is getting out, slowly.