G
Guest
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'
Have been following people that appear to be in a 'daze' weather changes = distraction. 
