A spilt second from death
Discussion
I was driving steadily along a fairly narrow A road. Just enough room for two lorrys to pass each other with care.
Doing about 50 mph in my Renault van with a red lorry coming the other way at about the same speed. Then, for no apparent reason, as we approached each other, he started to drift across to my side of the road.
So, with a closing speed of about 100 mph, I just had time to swerve up onto the bank, bouncing over a drainage gully and trying desperately to keep out of the hedge.
I really thought that was the end!
After almost 40 years of driving that was the closest I have been to actually being killed on the road. If I had not swerved out of the way, I would have been just another statistic.
The purpose of this post is not to curse the lorry driver.
It's just to make you aware of how easy life can be taken away from you due to a careless or dangerous driver, and more importantly, how quickly and out of the blue.
Doing about 50 mph in my Renault van with a red lorry coming the other way at about the same speed. Then, for no apparent reason, as we approached each other, he started to drift across to my side of the road.
So, with a closing speed of about 100 mph, I just had time to swerve up onto the bank, bouncing over a drainage gully and trying desperately to keep out of the hedge.
I really thought that was the end!
After almost 40 years of driving that was the closest I have been to actually being killed on the road. If I had not swerved out of the way, I would have been just another statistic.
The purpose of this post is not to curse the lorry driver.
It's just to make you aware of how easy life can be taken away from you due to a careless or dangerous driver, and more importantly, how quickly and out of the blue.
Edited by Grandad Gaz on Thursday 1st April 17:28
I had a very near miss in similar circumstances on the A53 (High pass) near Buxton. Landrover Discovery eager to exploit a rare overtaking point but had failed to let me clear first- Suddenly presented with a large 4x4 almost entirely on my side of the road over 50mph. Luckily had a bit of runoff. It certainly shakes you up. Not as bad as some though, when your legs start juddering afterwards from the excess adrenaline!
*Al* said:
What did you do after? Probably just totally shocked? Did you want to get the reg to report to the police?
By the time I had come to a stop and made sure the suspension was still in one piece, he had long gone!As you said, just totally shocked and very pleased to be still alive
Grandad Gaz said:
I was driving steadily along a fairly narrow A road. Just enough room for two lorrys to pass each other with care.
Doing about 50 mph in my Renault van with a red lorry coming the other way at about the same speed. Then, for no apparent reason, as we approached each other, he started to drift across to my side of the road.
So, with a closing speed of about 100 mph, I just had time to swerve up onto the bank, bouncing over a drainage gully and trying desperately to keep out of the hedge.
I really thought that was the end!
After almost 40 years of driving that was the closest I have been to actually being killed on the road. If I had not swerved out of the way, I would have been just another statistic.
The purpose of this post is not to curse the lorry driver.
It's just to make you aware of how easy life can be taken away from you due to a careless or dangerous driver, and more importantly, how quickly and out of the blue.
Bloody hell, glad you're alright mate. Good job you were paying 100% attention and not trying to open a sandwich or something! Good job there was a bit of run off too...Doing about 50 mph in my Renault van with a red lorry coming the other way at about the same speed. Then, for no apparent reason, as we approached each other, he started to drift across to my side of the road.
So, with a closing speed of about 100 mph, I just had time to swerve up onto the bank, bouncing over a drainage gully and trying desperately to keep out of the hedge.
I really thought that was the end!
After almost 40 years of driving that was the closest I have been to actually being killed on the road. If I had not swerved out of the way, I would have been just another statistic.
The purpose of this post is not to curse the lorry driver.
It's just to make you aware of how easy life can be taken away from you due to a careless or dangerous driver, and more importantly, how quickly and out of the blue.
Edited by Grandad Gaz on Thursday 1st April 17:28
Approach T junction, to turn left. Nothing coming from right, couple of cars 800 or so yards left, fine. Pull out accelerate, upto 30 and see car coming towards me start overtaking in a mirror, signal, manoeuvre but ignore ahead style, about 150 yards, perhaps 2 secs away from me.
Happily, there was a pavement, which I used. Good job I was paying attention.
Happily, there was a pavement, which I used. Good job I was paying attention.
Glad you're ok. I had a similar incident a few yeas ago where a lady in a VW Passat estate swerved over onto my side of the road as we were passing each other at about 40mph. She hit my door and punted me into a ditch which my car slid down before coming to rest a few feet from a big tree. I should imagine incidents such as the OP's are fairly common with lorries; I've often seen them drifting across lanes on the motorway.
MonkeyMatt said:
Alexdaredevilz said:
If you bought a super bike you would end up writing up a book from 'near misses' as they happen all day
Im not supprised if they ride like the guys in East Cornwall today! talk about having a death wish!Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff