Near Death Experience!
Discussion
Well, near death might be an exaggeration but that was as near to trying out the air bags as I want to come. Setting: Sunday afternoon, about 3.15pm, good visibility and mostly dry road with damp patches. On a country lane, wide enough for a central white line and for vehicles to pass comfortably, travelling at about 35mph in 3rd. Approaching a pull off / car park on the right, just out of sight around a slight curve about 100 yards ahead.
Coming towards me around the curve there appears a Renault Scenic with driver and two passengers, squarely on my side of the road. Initial thought is that they've just pulled out of the lay-by and will be moving back to the left any moment now. Next I realise that they're all staring out of their left side windows; no one is looking at me! By now I'm braking hard and steering left, putting two wheels up the (wet and muddy) verge. I'm also fumbling for the horn but its amazing how long that seems to take whilst also braking and steering. I'm also debating, as they keep on coming at me, whether or not I should swerve to the other side of the road. Finally find horn and headlight flasher and the only satisfying aspect of this whole incident is the look of horror on everyones faces as they take in a Subaru desperately trying to avoid a head on! There follows a huge swerve to their left and no damage done. My hands were still shaking a while later, however. I only hope the lady driver of the Scenic learned her lesson, i.e. it helps to look where you're going when driving.
For my part, would I do anything different if it happened again? Yes, I should have gone for the horn first thing. Its curious how reluctant some of us are to use the horn for fear of seeming rude. I suspect that in fact I did find the horn fairly quickly but at the time it seemed to take too long. There is an assumption that surely this oncoming car is going to move over soon - it takes a second or so to register that yes, this is an emergency avoidance! I'm glad I didn't try to serve right; with two wheels already on the verge I might not have made it and there is always the risk that the oncoming car fails to realise what you are doing and instinctively swerves into you.
Still, I guess it's for moments like that that we have seat belts, air bags and crumple zones. And insurance.
Coming towards me around the curve there appears a Renault Scenic with driver and two passengers, squarely on my side of the road. Initial thought is that they've just pulled out of the lay-by and will be moving back to the left any moment now. Next I realise that they're all staring out of their left side windows; no one is looking at me! By now I'm braking hard and steering left, putting two wheels up the (wet and muddy) verge. I'm also fumbling for the horn but its amazing how long that seems to take whilst also braking and steering. I'm also debating, as they keep on coming at me, whether or not I should swerve to the other side of the road. Finally find horn and headlight flasher and the only satisfying aspect of this whole incident is the look of horror on everyones faces as they take in a Subaru desperately trying to avoid a head on! There follows a huge swerve to their left and no damage done. My hands were still shaking a while later, however. I only hope the lady driver of the Scenic learned her lesson, i.e. it helps to look where you're going when driving.
For my part, would I do anything different if it happened again? Yes, I should have gone for the horn first thing. Its curious how reluctant some of us are to use the horn for fear of seeming rude. I suspect that in fact I did find the horn fairly quickly but at the time it seemed to take too long. There is an assumption that surely this oncoming car is going to move over soon - it takes a second or so to register that yes, this is an emergency avoidance! I'm glad I didn't try to serve right; with two wheels already on the verge I might not have made it and there is always the risk that the oncoming car fails to realise what you are doing and instinctively swerves into you.
Still, I guess it's for moments like that that we have seat belts, air bags and crumple zones. And insurance.
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