Decision story: Up in the air!

Decision story: Up in the air!

Since 2006, I've developed several business rules based on minor accidents I've experienced. For example: 

1. Don't drive on the wrong side.

2. Don't speed on turns.

3. Stay calm after an accident.

4. Avoid rushing decisions post-accident.

5. Think calmly, take help from others, and strategize for the rescue.

Last month, while giving way to another car near my farm, I accidentally drove my car's left front wheel into a ditch. There was a loud noise, and I knew it was bad. Upon inspection, I saw the left front wheel was in the ditch, with the bumper resting on the ground and the back right wheel "up in the air!"

Armed with rules 3-5, I turned off the car and asked my wife and kids to walk back to the farmhouse (just a 5-minute walk). The other car's owner, who had stopped, went to get help from the farmhouse. He returned with 3-4 men. I devised a three-point synchronous strategy:

>The men would push the car backward.

>I would accelerate in reverse.

>The other car would tow mine in reverse (I had a towing wire in the car for 12 years, never used, so I thought it was a good time to use it).

The strategy worked, but there was another loud noise. When I checked, I saw the other car's front bumper had ripped off due to the towing cable. The cable's hook had a smaller internal diameter, and the lock wasn't secured by the men. When the other car reversed to pull mine, the cable snapped and ripped off its front bumper. 😪 

Now, I've added another business rule: avoid overthinking and ensure any rescue accessories are appropriate and won't cause harm! Ideally, my car was freed using reverse gear and the men's push, making the towing unnecessary.

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