How's about driving according to the conditions AND the car you drive. Anyway, who here thinks ABS stops your car more quickly than without?

Those that do: You're all wrong. ABS is about control, not shortening stopping distances. A skilled driver using cadence braking can happily equal the braking distance ABS can.

[edit] this was in response to the banning cars without ABS comment - I didn't hit quote.

bgunn said:

How's about driving according to the conditions AND the car you drive. Anyway, who here thinks ABS stops your car more quickly than without?

Those that do: You're all wrong. ABS is about control, not shortening stopping distances. A skilled driver using cadence braking can happily equal the braking distance ABS can.

[edit] this was in response to the banning cars without ABS comment - I didn't hit quote.

Click to expand...

Thanks for your input, a lecture is just what we needed but unfortunately we were a little concerned for a friend and somehow it wasn't the first thing that popped into our heads.

bgunn said:

How's about driving according to the conditions AND the car you drive. Anyway, who here thinks ABS stops your car more quickly than without?

Those that do: You're all wrong. ABS is about control, not shortening stopping distances. A skilled driver using cadence braking can happily equal the braking distance ABS can.

[edit] this was in response to the banning cars without ABS comment - I didn't hit quote.

Click to expand...

You are right but most drivers on the road are not skilled. Having driven both cars with ABS and no ABS, i have always felt safer in ABS cars as when you have to brake in an emergency unexpectedly it is much easier to stop in an ABS car than one with no ABS. Traction Control also helps. Hence no cars are made today without ABS. (racing cars dont apply)

grimwau said:

Thanks for your input, a lecture is just what we needed but unfortunately we were a little concerned for a friend and somehow it wasn't the first thing that popped into our heads.

Click to expand...

I agree i was just raising this subject because the person who had the accident was a victim of something that was avoidable and completely not her fault. In theory the better the brakes of cars, the less accidents that will happen, I have almost been in the same situation that she has been in and it isnt a nice feeling.

grimwau said:

Thanks for your input, a lecture is just what we needed but unfortunately we were a little concerned for a friend and somehow it wasn't the first thing that popped into our heads.

Click to expand...

Alright, if you wish to make another small minded remark, please feel free. If you read the post, I was making remarks about a particularly ill educated and ill informed request to see cars without ABS banned. Seems particularly ill judged to me, but hey, it's nice to see my comment was leapt upon instead.

Let's not go over the top here Let's all be nice

About 'showing concern'. The OP said they're fine, so I don't really see the need to be yet another person to write 'glad you're OK'. Take that as implicit, of course I'm glad to hear another human being didn't get hurt.

Thanks, but no thanks for the lecture.

bgunn said:

About 'showing concern'. The OP said they're fine, so I don't really see the need to be yet another person to write 'glad you're OK'. Take that as implicit, of course I'm glad to hear another human being didn't get hurt.

Thanks, but no thanks for the lecture.

Click to expand...

We are all relieved that no one is hurt. I would imagine that there is a number on here that have had the misfortunate of being involved in an accident. Personally I would not have the skill to work a brake pedal in a panic situation and would prefer to stomp on the brake and let the electronics do the work for me. The first time that I used ABS I got a little fright since the pedal 'made me' take my foot off the pedal with the pulses, etc. Now with brake assist the brake pedal stays firmly on the 'ground'. I would whole heartly give the ABS, Brake distribution, ESP, Brake assist and whatever else in there the thumbs up because you can't put a price on safety and your health.

With all due respect to EVERYONE on here, can we please stop talking about ABS?

What's happened has happened and ABS won't go back into the past and stop things happening.

What would be best for the OP would be for us to help her manage things best

Most people don't put enough force into the pedal to make the brakes lock up - thus the invention of brake assist.

edit: Not talking about ABS

on topic..

Doubt there is much more to suggest - I think almost all the usual good advice following a non-fault accident has been written above.

306maxi said:

Let's not go over the top here Let's all be nice

Click to expand...

Be nice. There is obviously a tool in this thread it's not the OP, or the person who drove off!

Some bloody stupid comments and we're only on page 2

306maxi said:

Whilst I agree that the girl behind is to blame. The sad reality is that if the person in front hadn't chosen to stop then the accident never would have happened. Pity Melanabb doesn't have a camera as the Police could have tracked said fool down and had a little chat with him/her.

Click to expand...

Why? Said what to them? Again who's to say this individual didnt have a perfectly legit reason for being stopped? It's the Punto drivers fault, end of tbh.

OP, glad to hear your ok and that it sounds like the car should be repairable, hope all goes well with the claim. From what I've seen so far there is should be no issue with sorting out liability here for you.

Unfortunately accidents happen and what really matters is that you're ok. I'm aware of this after accident messy and complicated situation but soon it will be over.

Keep us informed regarding the damage, i hope the floor is good.

Thanks all for your support and care. I'm fine, no whiplash and the other driver said so too (I've texted her this morning). So that is the most important thing. Called Fiat accident care (thanks Dave) and they will sort everything out. The car is drivable during the day (reg no lights not working) but out other family car is in the garage with a leak (sods law ) I'll keep you posted but here are the photos

Melanabb said:

Thanks all for your support and care. I'm fine, no whiplash and the other driver said so too (I've texted her this morning). So that is the most important thing. Called Fiat accident care (thanks Dave) and they will sort everything out. The car is drivable during the day (reg no lights not working) but out other family car is in the garage with a leak (sods law ) I'll keep you posted but here are the photos

Click to expand...

No too bad then thankfully Would be very surprised if it's a writeoff just for that then

306maxi said:

No too bad then thankfully Would be very surprised if it's a writeoff just for that then

Click to expand...

It looks like the bumper and the rear boot door must be replaced. If its only that then thats not even near a write off, especailly on a new car like that! Let us know how it goes with the process and i hope they fix it quick, but that definately looks driveable for the time being!

Indeed, it doesn't seem bad.

Mel, glad that things are being sorted out and I hope you get a Fiat courtesy car, I usually get a Peugeot or Citroen. It will be interesting to hear about your experience with "Call Fiat First" as I have stuck their fob on Liz's keyring and told her in event of accident to call them to sort things out.

I know you said you might not be able to make it on Sunday but if circumstances change you know there will be a place left for you at the table, a sort of a missing man formation.

Take it easy and see you soon.

grimwau said:

I know you said you might not be able to make it on Sunday but if circumstances change you know there will be a place left for you at the table, a sort of a missing man formation.

Click to expand...

Glad to see your okay and that`s the main thing.
Our cars can be mended although it is stressful !!
I hope everything is speedily sorted out for you.

I just got some "Call fiat First" key ring thingies last week and recall mixed reports on the service on here, so it will be useful to know how you find them.

Putting my lawyer's hat on, I'd also just add that I wouldn't be unduly worried about needing to prove anything to do with the scampering parked vehicle - it is all done on "blanace of probability" and logic dictates that you would not have done an emergency stop for no reason. Added to which, although there are circumstances in which the car in front can be to blame when hit from behind, unless the lady behind you starts lying her head off, that won't be the case here.

I would, however, just jot down and date and sign a note of what she said to you at the time and what she has said subsequently (if anything). I'm sure she is a very nice lady, but you never know, and judges (and therefore insurance companies who know they have to face judges if things don't get sorted) love "contemporaneous written evidence" as we call it. If she has texted you apologetically, save them or print them (if you can).

Glad you are all well. There but for the grace of God go all of us.