Being Spooked by a Slippery Surprise
Imagine going about your regular grocery run, picking up broccoli, only to discover something that sends chills down your spine. That’s exactly what happened to Neville Linton, a 63-year-old man from the West Midlands of England. When he unzipped the bag of broccoli he bought from Aldi, he found himself face to face with a snake! As an ophidiophobic (someone with a fear of snakes), this was Linton’s worst nightmare come true.
A Tale of Courage and Quick Thinking
Thankfully, Linton’s relatives rushed to his aid and managed to take control of the snake before any harm was done. Linton’s sister, Ann-Marie Tenkanemin, immediately recognized the creature as a snake and together they safely transported it back to Aldi. Linton expressed his relief, stating, “It’s lucky I didn’t just leave the broccoli out in the kitchen, or it would have been loose in the house. That would have been a huge risk for us because we have two vulnerable people living here.”
The Impact on Fear and Family
Linton’s experience was not just alarming; it had the potential to be even more dangerous for his disabled son and mother-in-law. He believes that the compensation he received from Aldi was insufficient considering the potential risk to his family’s well-being. He expressed his concerns, stating, “The implications for us if it had [gotten] out in the house are huge. Plus, I’m phobic of snakes, so there’s the emotional impact of that, too.”
An Unusual Reptilian Encounter
So, what kind of snake was it exactly? According to expert opinions, it was initially identified as a juvenile ladder snake by a Dudley Zoo expert. However, herpetologist Dr. Steven J. R. Allain disagrees and asserts that it is, in fact, a harmless fish-eating species called a viperine water snake (Natrix maura). These snakes are found in southwestern Europe and northern Africa.
Demystifying the Fear
Here’s the reassuring news: neither the ladder snake nor the viperine water snake pose a significant threat to humans. They are not venomous and tend to avoid human interaction. In fact, they’re more interested in feasting on insects, birds, and even rodents. Dr. Allain hopes to dispel the fear surrounding these creatures, emphasizing their non-aggressive nature and their role in maintaining ecosystems.
Why is that?
The Answer is:
If a vehicle drives in a straight line at high speed for a long time, it will cause the driver’s vision to become fatigued, attention to be distracted, and even lead to drowsiness, which is unsafe. Therefore, driving on a road that changes from straight to curved will stimulate the driver’s concentration better.
Not to mention, builders also consider that a powerful vehicle can easily climb a steep road, but a heavily loaded truck or a passenger vehicle cannot. Moreover, a road with a straight, steep incline is extremely dangerous when descending, as it is difficult to control speed. A steep incline can also affect the driver’s visibility, making it hard to see ahead.
When designing curves, builders try to increase the curve radius and reduce centrifugal force, allowing vehicles to handle the turn more easily even at high speeds.
In summary, while winding roads may take more time to travel, they ensure greater safety. Driving on a steep, straight road is akin to playing a dangerous game that most people wouldn’t want to try.
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