Scariest Moments on the Road
Discussion
With all the miles traveled each day by the people of PH, there must be many scary moments on the roads. They don't all have to actually be accidents - but possibly those ones which really "s
t-you-up"! Method of travel doesn't have to be car either.
I had one the other day
I was following my old man - we were both on our motorbikes going down the A40 into London. The traffic stopped, and so did we!
The chap in his X5 obviously didn't see the traffic coming to a halt. That is when I hear the tyres scrabbling as the ABS tries to stop him before I get a proper good bang up the arse from this fella.
I honestly thought I was about to wake up in a hospital bed...if I woke up at all - being sandwiched between an X5 and a R1200RT isn't my idea of fun on a beautiful Sunday afternoon!
Fortunately, he did stop, I didn't get sandwiched and all was well!
t-you-up"! Method of travel doesn't have to be car either.I had one the other day
I was following my old man - we were both on our motorbikes going down the A40 into London. The traffic stopped, and so did we!
The chap in his X5 obviously didn't see the traffic coming to a halt. That is when I hear the tyres scrabbling as the ABS tries to stop him before I get a proper good bang up the arse from this fella.
I honestly thought I was about to wake up in a hospital bed...if I woke up at all - being sandwiched between an X5 and a R1200RT isn't my idea of fun on a beautiful Sunday afternoon!
Fortunately, he did stop, I didn't get sandwiched and all was well!
Some 6 years ago my wife and I were travelling on the A27 near Chichester when suddenly I realised that the lorry in the overtaking (outside lane) was stationary, and as we were doing approx 70 I had to swerve to the nearside lane to avoid it and overtook/pass it on the nearside. However after us passing a Volvo was not so observant and smashed into the bck of that lorry killing himself outright...........that could have been us.
Driving a friends TVR tamora high in the Alps, possibly Italy, can't remember, we did about 15 crossings. There's no barriers on the mountain, just the odd bunch of flowers with a picture of some dead boy. We stop counting at 11 because it's starting to put me off.
I'm driving within my limits but it's close. Blind bend and we've lost radio contact with the pace setters and their guidance about what's coming up. Back off, check surface, brake, brake, brake. Ford Kuga in centre of road, going significantly faster than we are.
No time for mirror check, turning on a st surface, no more brake possible without a lock. Swerve. Want to turn more but that would be certain death. Miss the Kuga by inches, miss the cliff edge by less.
No more dangerous than nearly being killed on the M6 last weekend on my bike by some in an Astra who wasn't looking. Would have preferred to have gone in the Alps in a TVR though. Now there's a way to be written off...
I'm driving within my limits but it's close. Blind bend and we've lost radio contact with the pace setters and their guidance about what's coming up. Back off, check surface, brake, brake, brake. Ford Kuga in centre of road, going significantly faster than we are.
No time for mirror check, turning on a s
t surface, no more brake possible without a lock. Swerve. Want to turn more but that would be certain death. Miss the Kuga by inches, miss the cliff edge by less. No more dangerous than nearly being killed on the M6 last weekend on my bike by some
in an Astra who wasn't looking. Would have preferred to have gone in the Alps in a TVR though. Now there's a way to be written off...Today was pretty bad actually...
Me and Mrs on the way back home going past Chepstow racecourse, old duffer in an astra (I think) indicating left and almost stationary by the turn in to the carpark me approaching (also worth noting its 3 1/2 lanes wide by here so loads of room) He was pulled right off to the left (anyone would have thought he was turning
) Range Rover approaching in the other lane and I go to skoot past him in what is easily a 1 1/2 lane gap between Astra and RR.
Old duffer deciedes to suddenly swerve infront of me almost hitting the RR and nearly ending up with me in his door, luckily the brakes on the Saab prevented the accident, he carried on as though he didn't even notice the RR or me almost smash into the side of him... scary...
Me and Mrs on the way back home going past Chepstow racecourse, old duffer in an astra (I think) indicating left and almost stationary by the turn in to the carpark me approaching (also worth noting its 3 1/2 lanes wide by here so loads of room) He was pulled right off to the left (anyone would have thought he was turning
) Range Rover approaching in the other lane and I go to skoot past him in what is easily a 1 1/2 lane gap between Astra and RR.Old duffer deciedes to suddenly swerve infront of me almost hitting the RR and nearly ending up with me in his door, luckily the brakes on the Saab prevented the accident, he carried on as though he didn't even notice the RR or me almost smash into the side of him... scary...
Cornering at 70ish on a twisty trunk road, slightly blind crested sweeping corner.
Massive river running across it, aquaplaning like mad, heart in mouth hoping I don't slam the tall curb or spin out, the corner wasn't over.
eventually found traction inches from the nearside curb, immediately gave myself a talking about taking into consideration the conditions in future.
Had lots more too, just today a biker came around a corner on the wrong side of the road in front of me, I happened to be taking it very easy but he still came very close to making contact, and/or sliding out.
Seen the immediate aftermath of a fatal too, just after the bloke killed had passed me a few seconds earlier, but that wasn't scary so much as inevitable given his recklessness, he was also a biker.
Remembered another too, just the other day pulled in after an overtake that shouldn't have been, van I was passing floored it(total prat), and oncoming traffic appeared, left me with no option but to cut in on him, no opportunity to check if I was fully past. More luck that judgement on that one that there wasn't contact.
Overall the number 1 lesson I have learned is just never get carried away, doesn't matter what you are driving, or how good a driver you are, the real world you cannot account for every eventuality so just drive well within yourself and save it for the track.
Massive river running across it, aquaplaning like mad, heart in mouth hoping I don't slam the tall curb or spin out, the corner wasn't over.
eventually found traction inches from the nearside curb, immediately gave myself a talking about taking into consideration the conditions in future.
Had lots more too, just today a biker came around a corner on the wrong side of the road in front of me, I happened to be taking it very easy but he still came very close to making contact, and/or sliding out.
Seen the immediate aftermath of a fatal too, just after the bloke killed had passed me a few seconds earlier, but that wasn't scary so much as inevitable given his recklessness, he was also a biker.
Remembered another too, just the other day pulled in after an overtake that shouldn't have been, van I was passing floored it(total prat), and oncoming traffic appeared, left me with no option but to cut in on him, no opportunity to check if I was fully past. More luck that judgement on that one that there wasn't contact.
Overall the number 1 lesson I have learned is just never get carried away, doesn't matter what you are driving, or how good a driver you are, the real world you cannot account for every eventuality so just drive well within yourself and save it for the track.
Edited by FisiP1 on Monday 15th August 00:06
Back in my younger Focus RS days.......Driving down the M1 in fairly heavy traffic with a friend also in his FRS. Having a little play. I pull out into lane 3 to be confronted with a STATIONARY escort van!
My fault for poor obs, just managed to slip back into 2 with some heavy braking. Ferodo DS2500's are everyone's friend!
My fault for poor obs, just managed to slip back into 2 with some heavy braking. Ferodo DS2500's are everyone's friend!
About two years ago, in the wet on the M56 (I think) some traffic, cars driving close together going about 50-60, I was in the middle lane and probably too near the car in front. Car in front brakes, I brake (hard). Was driving Yaris sans ABS with skinny tyres. Wheels lock up, car immediately pulls to the left straight into the Artic lorry next to me. Car scraping along the side of the lorry for what seemed like a while, I watched my wing mirror fly clean off into the hard shoulder. As the car is still skidding and scraping hard on the lorry, I pull the car to the right eventually swerving accross the fast lane before regaining control. Pulled over in the hard shoulder to talk to exchange details with lorry driver and regain composure. Had a mate in the passenger seat who's head was inches from this lorry, could have been a lot worse. The scrape was quite deep and had to be filled although I did drive home back to London with one mirror that night.
The next episode was in a car but didn't involve driving. Last summer, whilst doing some filming, decided it would be interesting to visit the town of Nazareth. Against better judgement, we went. Get to the first set of traffic lights, large HD camera panning taking in the scene. Youths hanging around at the junction washing windows seem to take offence at this. One comes at the car screaming at us, banging on the windows, trying to open the doors, kicking the car. Then he goes to speak to other in the queue, pointing at us. Needless to say, did a quick u-turn and got out of there sharpish.
The next episode was in a car but didn't involve driving. Last summer, whilst doing some filming, decided it would be interesting to visit the town of Nazareth. Against better judgement, we went. Get to the first set of traffic lights, large HD camera panning taking in the scene. Youths hanging around at the junction washing windows seem to take offence at this. One comes at the car screaming at us, banging on the windows, trying to open the doors, kicking the car. Then he goes to speak to other in the queue, pointing at us. Needless to say, did a quick u-turn and got out of there sharpish.
Eddh said:
Today was pretty bad actually...
Me and Mrs on the way back home going past Chepstow racecourse, old duffer in an astra (I think) indicating left and almost stationary by the turn in to the carpark me approaching (also worth noting its 3 1/2 lanes wide by here so loads of room) He was pulled right off to the left (anyone would have thought he was turning) Range Rover approaching in the other lane and I go to skoot past him in what is easily a 1 1/2 lane gap between Astra and RR.
Old duffer deciedes to suddenly swerve infront of me almost hitting the RR and nearly ending up with me in his door, luckily the brakes on the Saab prevented the accident, he carried on as though he didn't even notice the RR or me almost smash into the side of him... scary...
Local are you? I'm at 23A on the M4. Me and Mrs on the way back home going past Chepstow racecourse, old duffer in an astra (I think) indicating left and almost stationary by the turn in to the carpark me approaching (also worth noting its 3 1/2 lanes wide by here so loads of room) He was pulled right off to the left (anyone would have thought he was turning
) Range Rover approaching in the other lane and I go to skoot past him in what is easily a 1 1/2 lane gap between Astra and RR.Old duffer deciedes to suddenly swerve infront of me almost hitting the RR and nearly ending up with me in his door, luckily the brakes on the Saab prevented the accident, he carried on as though he didn't even notice the RR or me almost smash into the side of him... scary...
I was on a club run with the Morgan Owners club of Oz, in the mid 60s. We had 5 Morgans, an MG A, a Sunbeam Talbot saloon, & a Turner in the lead bunch, in close convoy along a nice straight bit of country road, all doing about 90/95 MPH.
On the left was a 40 ft high 30 degree angle smoothish hillside hard against the road, on the right a flat with a double row of large pine trees windbreak.
We were just cruising in company, not racing each other, & enjoying the sun, when an elderly gentleman puttered out, at about 5 MPH onto the road, from behind the pine trees, in a 40s Austin A 40, right in front of us. He crossed the road, to our side rather slowly.
The first 3 cars all did a "wall of death", up the bank on the left, & back down in front of him, fortunately led by the front bloke who was a good rally driver.
I was 4Th in line, & managed to slow enough, & the Austin get far enough across the road, for me to overtake him in the normal way, but still at quite high speed, & only just missing him. As I did so I could see a huge cloud of dust behind me, with sideways cars on either side of the road.
Looking to tell our gentleman what I thought of him as I passed, I looked across at him & received a big smile, & a cheery wave. What can you do?
A few miles down the road we all stopped for a break, & by the way everyone was laughing very loudly, at not very funny jokes, it was obvious the adrenaline was well & truly right up, after a big scare.
On the left was a 40 ft high 30 degree angle smoothish hillside hard against the road, on the right a flat with a double row of large pine trees windbreak.
We were just cruising in company, not racing each other, & enjoying the sun, when an elderly gentleman puttered out, at about 5 MPH onto the road, from behind the pine trees, in a 40s Austin A 40, right in front of us. He crossed the road, to our side rather slowly.
The first 3 cars all did a "wall of death", up the bank on the left, & back down in front of him, fortunately led by the front bloke who was a good rally driver.
I was 4Th in line, & managed to slow enough, & the Austin get far enough across the road, for me to overtake him in the normal way, but still at quite high speed, & only just missing him. As I did so I could see a huge cloud of dust behind me, with sideways cars on either side of the road.
Looking to tell our gentleman what I thought of him as I passed, I looked across at him & received a big smile, & a cheery wave. What can you do?
A few miles down the road we all stopped for a break, & by the way everyone was laughing very loudly, at not very funny jokes, it was obvious the adrenaline was well & truly right up, after a big scare.
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