MTFCA Forum

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/dr ... b7ee9e61d4

This just showed up on the internet.

Several people have died in this area in similar crashes on rural roads. While there is no question that most modern vehicles are more crash-worthy and have better braking ability than a T, the typically higher speeds involved go a long way toward canceling these advantages.

Accident report link: https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/ ... =220614109

My condolences to the family.

That’s to bad. Sorry to hear it. The report said the damage was moderate. It’s a reminder about driving our T’s. In a modern car the driver probably wouldn’t have gotten killed. Of course we don’t know that but T’s aren’t indestructible. I won’t drive a T on a main highway
these days because of the speed. In this area around 60 mph will get you rear ended.

John kuehn wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:06 am

That’s to bad. Sorry to hear it. The report said the damage was moderate. It’s a reminder about driving our T’s. In a modern car the driver probably wouldn’t have gotten killed. Of course we don’t know that but T’s aren’t indestructible. I won’t drive a T on a main highway
these days because of the speed. In this area around 60 mph will get you rear ended.

John I know what you're saying and indeed agree. However....seems anymore speed on RURAL roads is as bad if not worse...other drivers are "sure" they're not gonna get caught due to the remoteness, and then that brings up distracted driving out there of all sorts, namely and mainly texting. Getting worse every year. And oh, did I mention so many people passing on the solid yellow line, even in a "double zone"? Sheesh...horrible out my way.

This is so sad to hear. I'm not pretending to know the particulars, but this shows why you should not put your life in the hands of a stranger. NEVER assume that they SEE YOU. Slowing down and preparing for the worst may annoy the drivers behind you, but you will live another day to tell about it.

I could not find Mark C Gianunzio in a forum search, but it is very likely that someone on this forum new him. My heart goes out to you and his family.

Please drive safely.

From accident reports, news and Internet. Time of police at accident 2:20PM
From a search there is a Mark C Gianunzio , age 61 listed in DURA MO
From the accident details GPS coordinates were provided and vehicle directions. --
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TEXT blocks are just to indicate vehicle travel directions

Yes indeed; I’m so very sorry to hear of the death of someone enjoying the very activity we all aspire to. And a ‘head on’ accident in a Model T has an acorn steering wheel nut pointed right at the heart. I often consider this event and try to drive super defensively. So sad.

So sad to hear this, I almost got hit on the road on which I live I went into the ditch. The other car didn't even stop to see if I was OK! Oh well the only damage was to my wallet for the tow truck to pull me out.

I read this a heavy heart. May his soul rest in peace.

If you are in a Model T, Model A, riding a motorcycle, or any small modern car, if you are cut in front of by a Ram 3500 and plow into the side of it. Your chances are not very good. Sorry to hear about this or any accident of this nature.

Sad indeed. My Sincere condolences to His family. Drive your T with the lights on during the day makes a coal black T more visible. Install bright LED bulbs in your headlights makes you more visible and won't kill your generator. when in doubt blow the horn. Assume everyone at a intersection is going to pull out in front of you. only takes one. Use triangle slow moving vehicle sign on the rear of your T. Flashing rear strobe lights is a good idea too. If your modern car or truck has ever gone into limp home mode and won't go over 25 mph You know what I mean. I felt like the Flintstones and wanted to put my foot out the door and push because the traffic behind Me was trying to run up my tail pipe.
Practice changing lanes at Your Ts cruising speed. Learned this skill at the Houston Police driving school. Saved my bacon more than once but not in a T. Drive your T like riding a bicycle assume no one can see you and you cant stop. When driving a T its good to be a little paranoid.
"In God We trust! All others cash"

My 2 cents worth. Maybe less

WOW layout of accident scene looks like a spot to avoid. Assumptions: If the Dodge Ram driver was looking for the Western Store, slighted distracted, coming over the hill (look at the photo on the left) and no way to see on coming traffic until..... may have started a country turn too
The photo on the right is what the Model T could see headed up the hill. just seconds --
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Got me thinking about defensive driving a Model T when you can't see over the next hill
For a modern car - Dodge Ram
At 20 mph during perception and reaction time, a vehicle will travel 45 feet (30 feet per second x 1.5 seconds). Once the brakes are applied, it takes approximately 19 feet to come to a stop, for a total distance of 64 feet.

Model T stopping time at 30 mph travels about 44 feet/second - perhaps 180 feet stopping distance

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On my way to the Golf Course next summer this sign will have new meaning

We have a blind hilltop very similar to the one pictured. If the T was just coming to the top and at the same time to the right hand turn that’s a death curve if the T was just making the turn and the truck was coming at a high rate of speed! I don’t know all the details but a T at that point is in no way safe.
That’s dangerous for modern vehicles besides slow driving antiques!

The T is going up hill & the truck was coming over the the top to make the turn - sam deal no escape

I always drive with my headlights on. It's the only additional thing to concentrated deffensive driving I know to do.

I always drive with my headlights on.

Same here. When the engine is running the headlights are on. And no, mag lights don't burn out quickly, which you might expect from reading about them.