I think most people try to avoid driving into inanimate objects, be they garage doors, houses, chairs, etc. etc. Generally with a pretty high success rate.
One typically does not select garden chairs with any consideration to replacement cost if you accidentally run one over with the ride-on mower.Hi Chris.
Ref the SAAB incident, Barbara had driven down the road, parked outside the house next door, facing the wrong way. On climbing out of the car, she decided she was too far from the kerb, climbed back in again, (didn't close the door), inserted key (SAAB key locked gearstick in reverse) and presumably turned the key without selecting neutral. Car took off like a bat out of Hell, in reverse, straight towards my Disco. Barbara spun the wheel to avoid the Disco. Rear corner missed the Disco, but open SAAB driver door hit Disco. By this time SAAB was on full lock, so it's front wing also hit Disco ... Disco was now a write-off. SAAB continues across road, reverses
d into front corner of Transit sized van, pusihng van sideways against the kerb.
(I was sitting in front room watching TV, when I heard a sort of f**ting noise as the tyre deflated). Van continued travelling sideways, against the kerb, bending it's front axle.
I'm guessing that the SAAB had travelled less than 20 feet, most of it at full lock, from a standing start. I later heard that another SAAB had done something similar. I don't know if it's pertinent, but I had noticed the SAAB had a reluctance to cruise smoothly, I had to keep adjusting the throttle between very slightly on and very slightly off. A steady throttle, with no load, gave a slightly jerky, ON - OFF- ON progress.
I believe the SAAB had some sort of anti-stall device.
SAAB had damage to right rear corner, drivers door bent forward against the front wing , and mangled driver's front wing, (both from hitting my Disco), and well crumped left rear quarter from hitting the van. But that damage had caused most of the other panels to distort, including roof and boot lid. Only the passenger door seemed un-involved. The insurance assessors abandoned the assessment, when the cost of replacement SAAB parts went over £700.
I assume the van was a write off... it seemed sensible not to ask. And my Disco was an economic write off. My insurers understood what I was getting at, when I said I wanted to claim against Barbara ... no sense in both of us losing one NCB "life". It took two claims to lose one's full NCB.
The folding chair will be offered to a member of this forum, who has a sister with a wood burner. You know who you are ... there are a couple of sacks of firewood that I need to deliver to you, when I get my Freelander back.
OT ... since Barbara's fall, a certain lady Councillor seems to have become remarkably friendly.
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