A video blogger got more than he bargained for when he was filming himself driving along a desert road. In the process, he may have delivered a somewhat memorable example of what can happen when you engage in distracted driving.
The actor behind the popular “LameDuckG” channel on YouTube has filmed himself doing a variety of stunts meant to shock, annoy and amuse — depending on the audience. It does not, however, appear that the accident was intended to be one of those stunts. Instead, it was likely the result of actual carelessness.
Police and safety experts constantly warn drivers against distracted driving. In many areas, there are even laws that expressly forbid the use of cellphones while driving simply because they’ve become one of the biggest driving distractions of modern times. Experts also routinely warn drivers about other distracted behaviors, including eating and drinking in the car, chatting too much with friends, playing with the radio and using the GPS system.
While nobody particularly warns against “making videos for a YouTube episode” while driving, that’s probably only because it hasn’t been an issue — before now.
The actor spent about 45 minutes filming himself driving and discussing his career, his thoughts and his day — until he suddenly screamed in horror as he realized that he had apparently driven right into the path of an oncoming semi-truck. According to reports, the semi driver attempted to avoid the passenger vehicle the actor was in but caught the car on the driver’s side.
The driver of the truck wasn’t injured. The actor wasn’t so lucky. He suffered major injuries and was taken to a local hospital by helicopter. Fortunately, he was able to post a picture of himself, several days later from his hospital bed, although his neck was in a brace and his vital signs were still being monitored. It’s unclear exactly what his injuries are.
Truck accidents can be among the most devastating of all motor vehicle accidents. The disparity of size between trucks and passenger vehicles almost guarantees major injuries to anyone in the passenger vehicle.
Incidents like this are a merciless reminder that driving is a task that shouldn’t ever be taken lightly. When drivers forget that, serious accidents are the result.
Source: Fox News, “YouTube vlogger hit by tractor trailer while livestreaming from driver’s seat,” April 30, 2018
