[samatman]

Last night, I was walking to the store (the Walgreens next to the Berkeley Bowl, for you Bay Areans) and a drunk driver shot up onto the pavement about twenty feet in front of me. It was mere coincidence that my partner and I avoided the hospital or worse. This is a sobering thing to read the morning after that.

Seriously: there was nothing I could have done to avoid that. By the time I was reacting, the car was already on the sidewalk. It was luck. Yeah, be careful out there, sure. Can we have self-driving cars REALLY SOON PLEASE? I hear rumors that they work, and don't drink on the job.

[ChuckMcM]

I had a similar experience about 20 years ago, except it was a car in front of me that got hit in the side. The occupants were seriously injured (I don't believe either of them died) but it reminded me how random life (and death) can be.

I try to use that memory to motivate me if I'm procrastinating on something.

[krakensden]

I don't know why, but I regularly see drivers who are clearly, obviously plastered, weaving about between the Ashby BART and the Shattuck/Adeline split.

[daeken]

Get the plate, note the direction they're heading in, and call the police. That's what they're there for, and you may just save a life (or lives).

[devrelm]

Had a similar experience a few months ago while out with my wife in NYC. We had the walk sign at a Y intersection. A driver came through the turn going at least 30 mph. He came within an arm's length of hitting us. I definitely pay more attention now when crossing the road, even if I do have the walk sign.

[sbuccini]

Berkeley can get crazy, especially that area of town. Glad to hear you're okay.