Close Call - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

R Leo · #1 10-22-2011, 10:02 PM

I came down to Austin and took Mom to a reception today for an old friend that is celebrating his 60th anniversary of ordination into the Baptist ministry. On the way back to her house we were traveling back across Austin on Loop 1 (MoPac expressway) which, for the unwashed, is a total madhouse of people driving while yakking on cel phones, soccer moms in kid-loaded minivans and construction vehicles of all shapes. Almost nobody runs the speed limit, 65mph. It's either 20 over or 30 under.

Crazy.

Anyway, we're in Mom's Windstar, buzzing along at the posted and in the left (thru) lane trying my best to leave a safe space in behind the painters van that is in front of me loaded with ladders, et al when the guy in the van locks his brakes and smokes his tires.

He's done this because there's a stalled car on the left shoulder and everyone is slowing down to take a look.

Of course, I'm instantly on the brakes, just shy of testing the ABS but in control and slowing quickly with enough space in front to be safe. I look in the mirror and see another car heading straight for the back of our van at about 55-60mph. He locks all four and swerves left to avoid hitting us, slides by right next to me and rear-ends the stalled car on the shoulder at about 35-40mph.

Crap! That was close.

A woman was standing in front of the stalled car and was on the phone. Just as all this happened, I could see her leap over the guard rail out of harm's way. I don't think she was hurt. I don't know about the person who rear ended the stalled car. And, I can't begin to imagine what an air bag deployment would have done to my 75 y/o Mother.

There was no way to safely stop and render any aid because we were in the traffic that was still moving and would have had to cross over three lanes to exit. I sure wasn't stopping on that shoulder either.

Ironic thing is that about 20 years ago, at almost exactly this same location, I was in the left lane and narrowly missed a car going the wrong way (opposing traffic) on the shoulder. I was in a Subaru station wagon with my kids. It was dark and that wrong way car went by so fast I couldn't tell what it was but you could bet that if we'd hit, I sure-as-hell wouldn't be posting any of this today.

Jeez. What an afternoon.

t walgamuth · #2 10-22-2011, 10:08 PM

Glad you missed it. Of course your quick correct action saved you.

Good job!

andersbenz · #3 10-23-2011, 12:40 AM

Glad you are safe Randy. Close one.

Jorn · #4 10-23-2011, 02:53 AM

This one will haunt you for a while; glad you and your mom are ok.

layback40 · #5 10-23-2011, 05:38 AM

Count your blessings!!!
& then go buy a lottery ticket!! you have lady luck on your side at the moment!!!

R Leo · #6 10-23-2011, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andersbenz

Glad you are safe Randy. Close one.

Lars,
You were here, you know exactly what it's like....except now it's a whole lot worse.

E150GT · #7 10-23-2011, 07:21 AM

Oh man. I hate those close calls. When I got into an accident in my first 300sd for months after that rear view mirror was a familiar sight. Whenever I would would hear tire squeal near me I would get jumpy,

SwampYankee · #8 10-23-2011, 07:24 AM

So oblivious a-hole drivers aren't exclusive to the northeast?

Glad to hear you and your mom were unscathed! Hopefully the stranded motorist is ok, too.

MS Fowler · #9 10-23-2011, 08:30 AM

Glad you weren't hit.

Is there a more helpless feeling that being stopped in traffic and seeing someone--in your mirrors--bearing down on you? While they are busy texting?

Brian Carlton · #10 10-23-2011, 10:27 AM

Good job Randy.

I've come to a place where I can sense when the road is too congested for the driven speed and the drivers are following way too closely.

The sense is that one slight tap on the brakes is going to cause a multi-car collision.

My solution in this scenario is to always move to the middle lane and always widen the following distance to at least 100 feet. Naturally, many will run into that space as if they have found nirvana...............let 'em.

And for the DB that is seven feet off the back bumper...........I'll control him by anticipating the stop that is surely going to arrive any second.

Most of these situations occur late in the day..........just prior to sundown..........all the DB's are in a terrific hurry to get home.

I have no intention of hitting one of them..............or vice-versa.

barry123400 · #11 10-23-2011, 12:27 PM

Indicative of how life can be changed in almost a moment. It is understood we drive on the roads at our own risk and peril.

The Clk Man · #12 10-23-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo

I came down to Austin and took Mom to a reception today for an old friend that is celebrating his 60th anniversary of ordination into the Baptist ministry. On the way back to her house we were traveling back across Austin on Loop 1 (MoPac expressway) which, for the unwashed, is a total madhouse of people driving while yakking on cel phones, soccer moms in kid-loaded minivans and construction vehicles of all shapes. Almost nobody runs the speed limit, 65mph. It's either 20 over or 30 under.

Crazy.

Anyway, we're in Mom's Windstar, buzzing along at the posted and in the left (thru) lane trying my best to leave a safe space in behind the painters van that is in front of me loaded with ladders, et al when the guy in the van locks his brakes and smokes his tires.

He's done this because there's a stalled car on the left shoulder and everyone is slowing down to take a look.

Of course, I'm instantly on the brakes, just shy of testing the ABS but in control and slowing quickly with enough space in front to be safe. I look in the mirror and see another car heading straight for the back of our van at about 55-60mph. He locks all four and swerves left to avoid hitting us, slides by right next to me and rear-ends the stalled car on the shoulder at about 35-40mph.

Crap! That was close.

A woman was standing in front of the stalled car and was on the phone. Just as all this happened, I could see her leap over the guard rail out of harm's way. I don't think she was hurt. I don't know about the person who rear ended the stalled car. And, I can't begin to imagine what an air bag deployment would have done to my 75 y/o Mother.

There was no way to safely stop and render any aid because we were in the traffic that was still moving and would have had to cross over three lanes to exit. I sure wasn't stopping on that shoulder either.

Ironic thing is that about 20 years ago, at almost exactly this same location, I was in the left lane and narrowly missed a car going the wrong way (opposing traffic) on the shoulder. I was in a Subaru station wagon with my kids. It was dark and that wrong way car went by so fast I couldn't tell what it was but you could bet that if we'd hit, I sure-as-hell wouldn't be posting any of this today.

Jeez. What an afternoon.

Please tell me that everyone including the "Steaks" are safe.

t walgamuth · #13 10-23-2011, 12:47 PM

I habitually leave a generous following distance in heavy traffic. Otherwise you are all bunched up on the steering wheel just waiting to become a victim. A large following distance is much more relaxing. When the Mopes pull in front of me I just fall back to my favored distance and wait for them to be sliding their tires on the interstate (never a good idea).