Each year, 1.24 million people die in car accidents across the globe, according to the World Health Organization. Only 28 countries, which account for just 7% of the world’s population, have comprehensive road safety laws covering drinking and driving, speeding, and failing to use motorcycle helmets, seat-belts, and child restraints.

In the United States, three million people are hurt in car accidents each year, two million of whom experience permanent injuries. Auto accidents are also the most common cause of personal injury lawsuits in the United States.

According to legal advice service Avvo, the most common causes of car accidents include speeding, drunk driving, reckless driving, and weather concerns.

But what about gigantic, runaway saw blades?

A motorist on the Chongqing expressway in central China recently avoided near certain death when a five-foot circular saw blade lodged itself a foot and a half deep into the hood of his truck. He was shaken, but unhurt.

Apparently, an equipment truck carrying the massive blades had swerved onto the median while traveling in the opposite direction, causing three or four of the blades to tumble out. Only one — the very same that found its way into the victim’s vehicle — made it through the bushes and back to the road.

“I heard a ‘bang’ and then I saw all the white smoke in front of me,” the driver, identified as Mr. Xiang, told local reporters. “I almost lost control of my car.”

Although it’s unfortunate that a cartoonishly large saw blade happened to come loose and at the exact time and angle necessary to cut through a vehicle, Mr. Xiang was quite lucky, in a sense. According to local police, had he been driving just a bit faster, or had he or the saw been going at another angle, it would have most certainly cut through into the truck’s cabin and hit Mr. Xiang.

Although the incident was a completely freak accident, there is a lesson there. Be careful driving, and don’t speed. It may just save you from the fate of a horror movie character.