VVG

Most states in the US allow one to obtain their driver's license at age 16-17.

VVG

The silver lining, of course, is that you are here to write about it. I am wondering what people's driving technique is for following or coming to a stop. I am always very weary of cars behind me.

Usually when driving, if I see brake lights go on in front of me, I hit my brakes unless I am really far back. As soon as I hit my brakes, I check my rear view mirror. It has pretty much become a reflex.

At a stop, I brake well ahead of my intended stopping point, check my rear view mirror, then inch forward to said stopping point. I tend to leave a good amount of space between myself and the car in front of me in case I need to pull forward or swerve out of the lane.

Only once have I actually swerved out of my lane when stopped due to what I felt was a car approaching too fast from the rear. In retrospect, that car did slow down in time, but I am glad I had the space to do what I did.

None of this may have helped in the OP's situation, but I am curious about whether people have any deliberate accident minimizing ideas

AdamIsAdam

WOW, this sucks. Glad you're relatively ok.
what kind of car hit you?

doug_999

In the US, even if she faced proscecution, her criminal record is wiped clean when she turns 18. But she will get nothing except two or three tickets. That’s about all the punishment she will receive.

A ban and costs to the claimant will ruin her life?

ADC1

Sure, there should be no accountability for the driver at fault. We should give her a reward and buy her a new car. This is why everyone else's uninsured motorist insurance is going up.

OP- Hope there are no long term effects with your back. The bright side is convertible prices will be at a seasonal low. GL on finding a replacement.

MrFunk

Wishing you and wife a speedy recovery. These injuries can persist though for decades so make sure you are covered in the long term by insurance. So sorry to see the GTS take the fall but it looks like it did it's job in protecting you. I bet the rear is designed to absorb and deflect, the engine, exhaust, trans are all back there...

Zhao

That is proper defensive driving techniques pretty much to a T. Source: I'm learning to become a driving instructor right now for safe driving.

Always check your mirrors both before and during reducing speed. Continue to watch your mirrors until you have cars behind you. Reduce speed before it is necessary. Leave an escape route (room in front to maneuver (you should be at least able to see the bottom of their tires is the recommended amount but not enough to encourage someone to change lanes into yours), forward if the guy will almost stop in time or to change lanes). Trying to stay in the lane of least resistance is also good too, gives you more options for escape but also has less activity (that will usually be the middle lane). I haven't had to change lanes yet but moving forward has prevented me from getting hit more than once. Also check your mirrors constantly while driving and don't let people sit in your blindspot so you have good situational awareness so there is less risk if you do need to change lanes. Can't prevent every accident though.

My only personal additions would be if you see the car behind you looking like they're not trying to stop hit the brakes harder than you need to to wake them up and then let off so they dont hit you. That stopped me from getting hit once, but caused an accident behind me. He clearly didn't see traffic was coming to a stop, so I braked harder, then he woke up, panicked, hit the curb and stopped really fast. Guy behind him was following way too close and hit him. My back and neck is happy with the outcome; theirs probably too honestly since at least their accident happened at low speed not high speed like it would have if I didn't wake the guy up.

Zhao

Aluminum construction. The entire rear end structure would need to be replaced as Porsche only sells it as a complete assembly and the procedures would say it's a non-repairable replace only component for that damage. lots of labour, lots of cost. As Op said its an engine out operation and you basically cut out 1/3rd of the car. It's not something that would survive a repair in north america due to labour costs.

I believe a UK bodyshop posted a photo journal of their repair for a 911 for the rear structure with just a very tiny dent which would be very similar on a 718. It's common enough in markets where labour costs are low too. Quite a few videos out of SE asia on crazy repairs on Porsches following procedures; stuff we'd instantly write off here as per Porsche repair procedures.

clutchplate

Yep. And if a car is coming in hot, flash your brake lights until they see you.

MEM82

Sorry to see this. Hope you and your wife mend very quickly! You'll be behind the wheel of another beauty soon I hope

worf928

I have no idea what that -^ means.

MendraSlife

Damn right - what if she had chronically injured ok killed someone? Actions have consequences.

sgreer78

The costs, yes.

zuluman23

Man, glad everyone is ok.

SmallCapTrader

Thanks for the well wishes, guys. I don't know the at-fault driver's health status but I hope she recovers fully as well. If this accident makes her a better driver, and my Porsche is taking a trip to the graveyard today so that some family of four doesn't have to in the future, then that's a fair exchange in my book. Of course we can't know but let's hope that's the case.