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Closest call (driving) you've ever had
We've all flirted with that old eternity road. I've had three
that come to mind immediately that I'll never forget (over 34 years of driving--including the year with learner's permit). When I was, you guessed it, 16, I had the habit of top-ending my mom's Cutlass, which was 112-115 mph. I lived in a small rural town, and there was another tiny town about 12 miles away that I decided one day to see how fast I could get to. There was also a classic "dead man's curve" on the route that I'd heard a little about but didn't take too seriously. It had/has quite an impressive dead list over the years--from people doing just what I was doing that day. I was top-ending when I hit the curve (it's a deceptive thing as there's a little downhill and it also curves sharply after it starts, which is not noticeable when approaching it (I didn't wear seatbelts in those days either). How I managed to not lose it that day I'll never know. I was literally an ant away from death. The road was dry, and I always had the wisdom--even at that age-- to never over-correct. Bottom line is that that taught me a lesson I'll never forget as I was never that reckless again. (My face was as white as a dead man's when I looked at myself in the mirror.) Another time, I was driving a 1974 Vega (very light vehicle) a little too fast I'd guess, hit a puddle, hydroplaned, and very nearly had a head-on with a huge Buick. This scared me pretty good, and could've easily been fatal, but it wasn't quite as terrifying as the dead man's curve day. (This spot some years later caused a woman to hydroplane in the same dip in the road during rain, causing her to hit a log truck head on, killing her.) The other instance is almost funny really. I was driving at about 4 a.m. one morning in 1978, along a highway I'd never been on before. I was cruising along at about 65 mph, had no idea I was about to get to a T intersection (if I continued on straight, I would've hit woods). Anyway, I was looking at myself in the mirror for some reason, looked up and saw woods fast approaching. LUCKILY, make that VERY LUCKILY, just to the left was a dirt road that intersected with the same highway I was intersecting with. I had just enough time, and had just good enough reflexes, to quickly veer to the left and fly down the dirt road instead of flying into the trees! I've had other close calls as well--almost getting hit by drunks etc., these really stand out. -- Flores |
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#2
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Closest call (driving) you've ever had
Long ago I used to pride myself on the ability to keep pushing long
after a wiser man would have called it a night, bulling my way through big yawns, drifting attention, and "microsleep" to reach a pre-chosen destination instead of flexing my schedule and itinerary to accommodate what was reasonable to accomplish. One afternoon it almost bit me and could have taken an innocent bystander with me. (Yes, afternoon. We associate these problems with late hours, and indeed I maintain that after midnight everybody's an impaired driver; but if you've been ramrodding it too hard for too long, your body can demand sleep at any hour.) I knew I was getting tired but thought I was alright to the next city, or at worst just a cup of coffee from alright. I dreamed that I was driving in my sleep, and woke up to realize that I had been doing exactly that, somewhat to the distress of the semi coming down the lane I was in, which was mostly his side of the center line, not mine. I cranked the wheel hard to the right, watched him in my mirrors to make sure we'd *all* survived my idiot-ass attitude, cranked up the radio, rolled down the windows, sat in an uncomfortable position, deliberately kept my head and eye focus moving, found a safe place to pull over for a nap, and, fitfully over the years, began behaving more responsibly when operating large dangerous machinery in proximity to others. Sometimes when it gets late and you've been up too long doing too much, you need to pull up short and make your excuses from the pay phone at a motel. Getting there late beats not getting there at all. --Joe |
#3
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Closest call (driving) you've ever had
Ad absurdum per aspera wrote: > Long ago I used to pride myself on the ability to keep pushing long > after a wiser man would have called it a night, bulling my way through > big yawns, drifting attention, and "microsleep" to reach a pre-chosen > destination instead of flexing my schedule and itinerary to accommodate > what was reasonable to accomplish. > > One afternoon it almost bit me and could have taken an innocent > bystander with me. (Yes, afternoon. We associate these problems with > late hours, and indeed I maintain that after midnight everybody's an > impaired driver; but if you've been ramrodding it too hard for too > long, your body can demand sleep at any hour.) > > I knew I was getting tired but thought I was alright to the next city, > or at worst just a cup of coffee from alright. I dreamed that I was > driving in my sleep, and woke up to realize that I had been doing > exactly that, somewhat to the distress of the semi coming down the lane > I was in, which was mostly his side of the center line, not mine. > > I cranked the wheel hard to the right, watched him in my mirrors to > make sure we'd *all* survived my idiot-ass attitude, cranked up the > radio, rolled down the windows, sat in an uncomfortable position, > deliberately kept my head and eye focus moving, found a safe place to > pull over for a nap, and, fitfully over the years, began behaving more > responsibly when operating large dangerous machinery in proximity to > others. > > Sometimes when it gets late and you've been up too long doing too much, > you need to pull up short and make your excuses from the pay phone at a > motel. Getting there late beats not getting there at all. > > --Joe Yes, I had that happen on a long stretch of interstate highway late at night coming back from dropping my daughter off at school. Dozed off for a moment and for an instant I didn't know where I was. Really scary. Pulled off to a rest area and got a few winks. And I try to not push beyond the slightly sleepy state now. Once I get to that state the only cure is a catnap in a rest area. |
#4
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Closest call (driving) you've ever had
Ad absurdum per aspera wrote: > Long ago I used to pride myself on the ability to keep pushing long > after a wiser man would have called it a night, bulling my way through > big yawns, drifting attention, and "microsleep" to reach a pre-chosen > destination instead of flexing my schedule and itinerary to accommodate > what was reasonable to accomplish. > > One afternoon it almost bit me and could have taken an innocent > bystander with me. (Yes, afternoon. We associate these problems with > late hours, and indeed I maintain that after midnight everybody's an > impaired driver; but if you've been ramrodding it too hard for too > long, your body can demand sleep at any hour.) > > I knew I was getting tired but thought I was alright to the next city, > or at worst just a cup of coffee from alright. I dreamed that I was > driving in my sleep, and woke up to realize that I had been doing > exactly that, <g> Yep, I can relate. I thought I was maybe the only person who'd gone to sleep and actually had a "micro" dream while driving. Way back in my younger years, I was driving home down I-75 at about 7 a.m. after a sleepless night having fun with friends in Atlanta. My girlfriend was asleep in the seat next to me. I was tooling along, needing matchsticks for the eyelids, but managing okay. A camper pickup passed me and I drifted off and dreamed that I was with my uncle in his camper headed to Florida on a fishing trip! A rough rumbling suddenly woke me up. It was my left wheels leaving the left side of the road. That scared me enough for me to forcibly wake my ass up and finish the trip. -- Flores |
#5
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Closest call (driving) you've ever had
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#6
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Closest call (driving) you've ever had
Ahhh yes. I have some good driving stories.This one was back in 1997. I was driving from Calgary to Winnipeg. Back then, I had a 1992 F-150 with the 5 liter engine. Man, that thing had sweet power. Anyway, I decided stupidly to pass a semi UP a hill. Guess what? Almost completed the pass when I saw ANOTHER semi coming right at me. I almost didn't get through. I never again pass on hills or corners. I learned my lesson, and almost soiled my pants. I deserved it, I was young and stupid. Stoneman Auto Review http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/sar One test drive at a time! |
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