Arachnophobia is one of the most common fears in the world. With their long, spindly legs, pulsating bodies and many eyes, it's no wonder that the American Psychiatric Association found that 40% of people with phobias had fears centered around insects.
However, not all arachnophobes come equally. For some, the mere sight of a spider is enough to prompt them into risking their lives. Seriously.
Now, police in Cairo, New York, have issued a warning on Facebook after a woman crashed her car because she saw a spider while driving.
The unidentified woman subsequently destroyed her vehicle and suffered a leg injury.
This is the dramatic moment a spider crawled across a police dashcam:Police posted a picture of the scene on Facebook and warned others against reacting in a similar way to unwelcome, many-legged passengers.
"We know that it is easier for some drivers than others," police said. "But PLEASE, try to teach new drivers and yourselves to overcome the fear and pull over to a safe place."
"Lives depend on it," the post continued.
However, despite the warning, people on social media were very understanding of the woman's plight:
"For safety measures should probably burn the car too," one person commented. "Just to make sure it's really dead."
A second wrote: "It would be interesting to know the spider's species for the purpose of being able to relate to her panic. I wouldn't panic to the point of losing control if it were an ordinary spider. But I might if it were a brown recluse."
Whereas a third simply remarked: "Perfectly understandable."
