Close Calls: A Tale of 2 Reactions
#1
03-14-2008 | 01:48 AM
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Posts: n/a
Close Calls: A Tale of 2 Reactions
This past week, I found myself in "defensive driving" situations ... one worked out very well, the other almost ended not so well....
The first, the one that almost ended up badly, happened en route to work. I was on a 4-lane road in Schaumburg in the right-hand lane, which was full of cars waiting to turn right (myself included). We were moving, but not at the speed limit. I noticed that the car behind me darted into the left-hand lane, but thought nothing of it, because I thought the driver was going to be turning left at the upcoming intersection. I was wrong. Instead, the driver apparently realized I was going slow because of the line in front of me. Before I knew it, he had darted back into the right-hand lane right in front of me. All I could do to avoid an accident was slam on my brakes ... and hope for the best. Unfortunately, the pavement was still damp that morning and my car skidded. I kept control of it and narrowly avoided a collision.
The second happened en route to work on a 4-lane road within Elgin's city limits. I was in the left lane and a huge Ford SUV was in the right lane. We were approaching an intersection notorious for people trying to dart out into traffic to cross or turn left ... because the intersection has no lights ... just stop signs for the cross, 2-lane street. I happened to notice that the Ford was turning right and spotted, out of the corner of my eye, a Honda minivan inching its way out from the street on the right-hand side. Instinctively, I slowed down because I knew the minivan driver could not see my '87 MC LS due to the Ford SUV. Sure enough, the minivan darted out ... directly in front of me. Had I not anticipated that and kept going the speed limit, I would've T-boned the minivan, no doubt. You should've seen the minivan driver's look of horror when she realized I was in the other lane coming right at her....
I was shaking after the first incident ... because I felt I could've/should've anticipated what was to happen and slowed down to avoid having to slam on the brakes. I was also pissed at the other driver.... Yet, at the same time, I didn't shake at all at the second incident ... because I anticipated, evaluated the situation, and took appropriate action before anything took place.... And, I wasn't pissed at that driver ... I knew it was an honest mistake because of the limited view. I was, however, a bit annoyed, realizing that we were both lucky I took the action I did ... otherwise, well, I don't want to think about what would've been inevitable....
Anyone else have any "close calls" recently?
Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I'm not fine" ... Sister Hazel ... 'You're Mistake'
The first, the one that almost ended up badly, happened en route to work. I was on a 4-lane road in Schaumburg in the right-hand lane, which was full of cars waiting to turn right (myself included). We were moving, but not at the speed limit. I noticed that the car behind me darted into the left-hand lane, but thought nothing of it, because I thought the driver was going to be turning left at the upcoming intersection. I was wrong. Instead, the driver apparently realized I was going slow because of the line in front of me. Before I knew it, he had darted back into the right-hand lane right in front of me. All I could do to avoid an accident was slam on my brakes ... and hope for the best. Unfortunately, the pavement was still damp that morning and my car skidded. I kept control of it and narrowly avoided a collision.
The second happened en route to work on a 4-lane road within Elgin's city limits. I was in the left lane and a huge Ford SUV was in the right lane. We were approaching an intersection notorious for people trying to dart out into traffic to cross or turn left ... because the intersection has no lights ... just stop signs for the cross, 2-lane street. I happened to notice that the Ford was turning right and spotted, out of the corner of my eye, a Honda minivan inching its way out from the street on the right-hand side. Instinctively, I slowed down because I knew the minivan driver could not see my '87 MC LS due to the Ford SUV. Sure enough, the minivan darted out ... directly in front of me. Had I not anticipated that and kept going the speed limit, I would've T-boned the minivan, no doubt. You should've seen the minivan driver's look of horror when she realized I was in the other lane coming right at her....
I was shaking after the first incident ... because I felt I could've/should've anticipated what was to happen and slowed down to avoid having to slam on the brakes. I was also pissed at the other driver.... Yet, at the same time, I didn't shake at all at the second incident ... because I anticipated, evaluated the situation, and took appropriate action before anything took place.... And, I wasn't pissed at that driver ... I knew it was an honest mistake because of the limited view. I was, however, a bit annoyed, realizing that we were both lucky I took the action I did ... otherwise, well, I don't want to think about what would've been inevitable....
Anyone else have any "close calls" recently?
Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I'm not fine" ... Sister Hazel ... 'You're Mistake'
#2
03-14-2008 | 07:34 AM
RE: Close Calls: A Tale of 2 Reactions
yeah but i can't remember off the top of my head.
one i know of was late at night and me and some buddies were speeding on backraods. i took this one curve and the rear end of the car started come around. i went into "panic mode" apparently... i didn't ****** the wheel or nail the brakes. i realized my car was FWD, straightened the wheel a little and gently tapped the gas. the car pulled right out of hte slide and i somehow got it through the curve... i have read as much defensive driving information on the interent, and as soon as the car went into the slide it all started rushing back to me. i'd like to take a defensive driving course... but i don't know of anywhere in NC i can do it.
one i know of was late at night and me and some buddies were speeding on backraods. i took this one curve and the rear end of the car started come around. i went into "panic mode" apparently... i didn't ****** the wheel or nail the brakes. i realized my car was FWD, straightened the wheel a little and gently tapped the gas. the car pulled right out of hte slide and i somehow got it through the curve... i have read as much defensive driving information on the interent, and as soon as the car went into the slide it all started rushing back to me. i'd like to take a defensive driving course... but i don't know of anywhere in NC i can do it.
#3
03-14-2008 | 01:13 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,544
From: Wyoming
RE: Close Calls: A Tale of 2 Reactions
Hopefully I can take one of the courses that my mom has to take because she's a federal employee (Black Hills Forest Service) I couldn't last time because I didn't have my license yet.
I've had plenty of people cut into my lane within inches, even had one girl cut me off forcing me to slam my brakes, so I changed lanes so I could have some breathing room. She slowed down and flipped me off. My buddy and I were like WTF?! Other than that there hasn't been many close calls, I tend to have more close calls with the cops then I do other drivers.
I've had plenty of people cut into my lane within inches, even had one girl cut me off forcing me to slam my brakes, so I changed lanes so I could have some breathing room. She slowed down and flipped me off. My buddy and I were like WTF?! Other than that there hasn't been many close calls, I tend to have more close calls with the cops then I do other drivers.
#4
03-16-2008 | 03:23 AM
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Posts: n/a
RE: Close Calls: A Tale of 2 Reactions
ORIGINAL: Cowboy6622
i'd like to take a defensive driving course... but i don't know of anywhere in NC i can do it.
i'd like to take a defensive driving course... but i don't know of anywhere in NC i can do it.
Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I'm thinking it over anyway" ... Duncan Sheik ... 'Barely Breathing'
#5
03-17-2008 | 03:29 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 784
RE: Close Calls: A Tale of 2 Reactions
Good job with your driving. Sometimes all we can do is hit the brakes and hope for the best. Way to anticipate that second scenario. Being a fire fighter, I see a lot of accidents that could have been avoided had people just paid attention. Keep up the safe driving and take care!
#6
03-18-2008 | 01:42 AM
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Posts: n/a
RE: Close Calls: A Tale of 2 Reactions
ORIGINAL: rysZ34
Being a fire fighter, I see a lot of accidents that could have been avoided had people just paid attention.
Being a fire fighter, I see a lot of accidents that could have been avoided had people just paid attention.
Sad part is (at least to me) ... many drivers simply don't get that a little bit more attention paid can save lives ... literally.
Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Can money pay for all the days I lived awake but half asleep?" ... Primitive Radio Gods ... 'Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand'
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