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Story of flips, ride of lifetime

SSgt. Dana Lomison
HQ AIA/SO
Kelly Air Force Base, Texas

What’s a 103 pound, 32-year-old mother to do when the left front tire of her car ruptures and she, despite her best efforts, loses control of the 4,000 pounds of rubber, plastic, and fluids?

There’s nothing anyone, regardless of weight, age, family status, or responsibility can do except pray and rely on the seat belt to keep you in the passenger compartment until the tumultuous ride stops.

Early one morning, I was traveling east bound on a two-lane divided highway enroute to work. The roads were wet from mist that had fallen overnight and visibility was limited due to fog. Prior to that morning, I had taken this route for the past six years and did not have an incident.

Was I being complacent? Not really! Fog is rare in this part of the country so the aware driver responds cautiously to this phenomenon.

I was rolling in a 1998 Pontiac Trans Am—had it for a grand total of five months and had become comfortable driving it.

No need to tell you this driving machine was my pride and joy. Naturally, maintenance was current and the tires had 5,800 miles, very much infants when you consider they should be good for 40,000 miles. I had no indication that something was to go awry.

I was, however, driving cautiously, anticipating evasive maneuvers in case I had to react to a traffic emergency. Shortly after turning onto the highway, I was accelerating as I ascended a slight incline and felt my car suddenly start pulling to the left. With all my strength, I desperately tried to counter-steer my car. Before I could fully comprehend what was happening, my car had left the roadway on the left shoulder and was climbing a sloped grassy embankment.

In my struggle to regain control, I may have forgotten to take my foot off the gas or something. For reasons unknown, my car picked up momentum and slid across this grassy inclined shoulder for about 200 yards.

After the off-road escapade, there were two areas where the tire tracks disappear. Police investigators determined those areas to be where my car actually rolled. I don’t recall being upside down. My most vivid memory, after the accident, was checking myself for bumps, bruises, and other injuries. Amazingly, I was treated for minor bruises and released. If you guessed that my seat belt made the difference, you’re right.

The bottom line is that the few seconds it takes to buckle up, are an investment that rewards you for a lifetime. Never mind the myth about not surviving a sports car flip -- I did and walked away.

This is the story of my experience and I’m sticking to it. Will you take the extra few seconds it takes to buckle up and ensure your passengers do the same? You’d better -- there’s room to live inside the belt.