First, stay calm. The body goes into shock, so expect your hands to shake and your watch to feel too tight. Second, let the medics do their thing—they’ve seen worse than a crumpled bumper. And third, keep your phone charged. Seriously, pack a power bank in your glovebox. Our hospitalized driver reportedly used their phone to call a loved one before the ambulance arrived. That small act is a lifeline for your mental health.
A13 crash: Man rushed to hospital with serious injuries after three
For the rest of us, the takeaway is less about fear and more about preparation. Check your tires once a month. Adjust your mirrors before you leave the driveway. Little rituals that turn you from a passive rider into an active driver. It’s like keeping your kitchen knives sharp—small effort, big payoff.
A Dash of Culture to Lighten the Mood
Let’s take a cue from Japanese car culture: “Ensuring the well-being of others is ensuring your own well-being.” In Tokyo, drivers often thank each other with a hazard-light flash after a lane change. Imagine that on the A13—pure chaos with manners. But the sentiment counts. Maybe the next time you let a lorry merge, you’re not being polite; you’re being strategically kind. It lowers stress for everyone, and lower stress means clearer reactions.
Also, did you know that the most common cause of crashes on straight roads like the A13 is fatigue, not speed? The straight lines lull your brain into a trance. Solution? Sing out loud or adjust your seat position every 30 minutes. It’s weird, but it works.
