Close Call This Morning - Be Careful Out There

[swexlin]

Trying to get my heart back in my chest after a very close call this morning. I was sitting at the light at 926 (2-lane road) and Westtown Way, here in West Chester, in the Viper. Traffic backs up because the left turn signal is short, and there was a left turner. Car in front of me was stuck behind the left-turner. There is nowhere to go. Route 926 is a 45 mph limit, but everyone goes faster. As I'm sitting there, looking in my rearview, here comes a black SUV (Toyota Land Cruiser, I think) coming fast, and still coming. It started slowing a bit, but it was STILL coming! In an instant, I had visions going through my head of what might happen. At the last instant, she stopped, and I heard a squeal. So close, that I only saw her windshield in my mirror, and she's looking down at something, probably a phone. I don't know how close to my bumper she was, but I bet it was no more than an inch or two.

I don't drink, but I think I need one now!

[Jdmuscle]

Women.. Truck.. Phone.. Perfect storm. Bet you all things are normal from her point of view. Argggghhhh

Glad you are ok along with the Viper

[swexlin]

Women.. Truck.. Phone.. Perfect storm. Bet you all things are normal from her point of view. Argggghhhh

Glad you are ok along with the Viper

From what I could see in my mirror, she didn't seem the slightest bit phased at all.

[Bugman Jeff]

Any time I see someone coming up behind me when I'm stopped like that, I start pumping the brakes. Flashing brake lights are more attention getting than if they're just on solid.

[Jdmuscle]

^^ that's a good idea. More attention the better with all the distracted driving that goes on these days. I won't be a saint and say I don't do it.. I'm guilty of it as well from time to time. Hoping I'll never do that again...

[Jack B]

I was in my Grand Cherokee, same scenario, except I had a Class 5 hitch sticking out the back. She was in a compact car, since she tried to brake, the front end went down, the lower lip of the her hood hit the solid hitch. I think it was close to a total. I replace the hitch and the hitch cross bar, about $750 insurance claim.

[plumcrazy]

she didn't seem the slightest bit phased at all.

cause its a common occurrence in her life

[swexlin]

Any time I see someone coming up behind me when I'm stopped like that, I start pumping the brakes. Flashing brake lights are more attention getting than if they're just on solid.

This is an excellent idea, and I will implement it on my next drive!

[rlhay2]

Years of riding motorcycles has taught me to always have an escape route. I am glad that worked out for you!

[swexlin]

Years of riding motorcycles has taught me to always have an escape route. I am glad that worked out for you!

My plan usually as well, but this particular point I had nowhere to go (no road on right, and bad shoulder). Someone was looking out for me today, to be sure!

[AZTVR]

Women.. Truck.. Phone.. Perfect storm. Bet you all things are normal from her point of view. Argggghhhh

Being an older guy, I was prejudiced by thinking that women were the major chit-chatters. I have had my eyes opened by seeing the number of men driving while looking at or talking on their phone. I would not be surprised that it is equal to or more than women. There are so many clueless people out there. They are totally addicted to their smartphone. I bet that a bunch of them even drive Vipers. People don't treat driving as a dangerous activity that can easily lead to major negative changes in a person's life. They couldn't care less about the other people on the road, and will just call it an accident if they hurt someone. The selfishness of people is astounding.

[swexlin]

I agree that we are all guilty distracted driving at times - even changing a radio station. As I mentioned above, it was the completely vapid "looking down at something" I saw in my mirror. I know that I have been in here position when someone on front of me has stopped short, and I about shit my pants when that has happened to me!

[Aspirations57]

Being an older guy, I was prejudiced by thinking that women were the major chit-chatters. I have had my eyes opened by seeing the number of men driving while looking at or talking on their phone. I would not be surprised that it is equal to or more than women. There are so many clueless people out there. They are totally addicted to their smartphone. I bet that a bunch of them even drive Vipers. People don't treat driving as a dangerous activity that can easily lead to major negative changes in a person's life. They couldn't care less about the other people on the road, and will just call it an accident if they hurt someone. The selfishness of people is astounding.

+1000 I cant believe the number of people I have noticed talking on phones and texting while driving in the last 5 years..I have had numerous men and women not move from the left lane because they are texting/talking ,really sad and dangerous. I really wish all states would impose a 1K fine every time you are caught on the phone NO excuses except if they can prove it was an emergency.

[Zybane]

I always leave 2-3 car lengths in front of the Viper for some wiggle room. Either move just enough so when the woman on her phone behind me slams on her brakes she has more room to stop, and/or a left or right escape route depending on traffic. It also give you the benefit of having room during a car jacking attempt etc. Being locked in surrounded by sheep is not ideal!

[TexasSnake]

+1000 I cant believe the number of people I have noticed talking on phones and texting while driving in the last 5 years..I have had numerous men and women not move from the left lane because they are texting/talking ,really sad and dangerous. I really wish all states would impose a 1K fine every time you are caught on the phone NO excuses except if they can prove it was an emergency.

Everyone should be required to watch the AT&T texting and driving videos. Phone usage is so dangerous because it offers all 3 forms of driver distractions: cognitive, manual and visual distractions...I almost slammed into the back of an 18 wheeler typing "luv u 2" some years back and I was a health and safety professional at the time who knew better. I think radical fines will be the only effective way to curve this problem.

[swexlin]

I always leave 2-3 car lengths in front of the Viper for some wiggle room. Either move just enough so when the woman on her phone behind me slams on her brakes she has more room to stop, and/or a left or right escape route depending on traffic. It also give you the benefit of having room during a car jacking attempt etc. Being locked in surrounded by sheep is not ideal!

I normally try to leave room as well, no matter what vehicle I'm in. Just this one time, I didn't, and almost paid for it. Someone was indeed looking out for me today!

[Vprbite]

Trying to get my heart back in my chest after a very close call this morning. I was sitting at the light at 926 (2-lane road) and Westtown Way, here in West Chester, in the Viper. Traffic backs up because the left turn signal is short, and there was a left turner. Car in front of me was stuck behind the left-turner. There is nowhere to go. Route 926 is a 45 mph limit, but everyone goes faster. As I'm sitting there, looking in my rearview, here comes a black SUV (Toyota Land Cruiser, I think) coming fast, and still coming. It started slowing a bit, but it was STILL coming! In an instant, I had visions going through my head of what might happen. At the last instant, she stopped, and I heard a squeal. So close, that I only saw her windshield in my mirror, and she's looking down at something, probably a phone. I don't know how close to my bumper she was, but I bet it was no more than an inch or two.

I don't drink, but I think I need one now!

I am always shocked at these people (I am gonna say that men can be just as culpable as women, it depends on the person) driving this big honkin SUV's and forgetting that they take 2 football fields to stop. When I was in California to see my brother, I found myself getting passed and a one finger salute (this time by a woman with kids in the car) for not going fast enough as I was doing 90 already. They go blowing by because the powerful engines and good engineering of these cars means that these people don't realize how fast they are going and how damn long it takes to stop.

I do the brake light thing too. Or sometime let myself roll back a smidge with the clutch in becaue it really catches people's attention when they see you rolling their way at a light. Even if only 8 inches or a foot. But I see people hit the brakes hard far away when I let myself roll a bit.

Glad you are ok. I had a similar experience when I had my 02 and snowbird season was just starting out here in Arizona and I saw a big brown late 80s Cadillac Fleetwood Broughm coming up on me like a freight train and I swear all I could see poking up was a steering wheel, knuckles, and a tuft of white hair. I honestly braced for impact cause that baby was a movin and I don't believe comparing it to a freight train is unfair. I grew up with those cars, took my damn driving test in one and they are sometning else. Needless to say my viper would not have stood a chance. Like a bantamweight taking on Lennox Lewis. Woulda been ugly.

Anyway, glad you are ok. Hug your viper and tell her how much you love her.

[Whitemamba]

Well, the important thing to remember here is that cars can be replaced, people can't. Thank goodness you weren't hurt.

[swexlin]

Thanks for the good wishes peeps. Luckily, nothing happened, and I bet the woman didn't even realize how close she was, and probably forgot 5 minutes later. I continued to take the long way home, cause this car is such a joy to drive!

[swexlin]

I am always shocked at these people (I am gonna say that men can be just as culpable as women, it depends on the person) driving this big honkin SUV's and forgetting that they take 2 football fields to stop. When I was in California to see my brother, I found myself getting passed and a one finger salute (this time by a woman with kids in the car) for not going fast enough as I was doing 90 already. They go blowing by because the powerful engines and good engineering of these cars means that these people don't realize how fast they are going and how damn long it takes to stop.

I do the brake light thing too. Or sometime let myself roll back a smidge with the clutch in becaue it really catches people's attention when they see you rolling their way at a light. Even if only 8 inches or a foot. But I see people hit the brakes hard far away when I let myself roll a bit.

Glad you are ok. I had a similar experience when I had my 02 and snowbird season was just starting out here in Arizona and I saw a big brown late 80s Cadillac Fleetwood Broughm coming up on me like a freight train and I swear all I could see poking up was a steering wheel, knuckles, and a tuft of white hair. I honestly braced for impact cause that baby was a movin and I don't believe comparing it to a freight train is unfair. I grew up with those cars, took my damn driving test in one and they are sometning else. Needless to say my viper would not have stood a chance. Like a bantamweight taking on Lennox Lewis. Woulda been ugly.

Anyway, glad you are ok. Hug your viper and tell her how much you love her.

I did give a quick little detail when I got home!