Close call ... Twice ... Options

[degreeoff]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thisthreadisworthlesswithoutpics.gif)

[ghuff]

Pics:

(IMG:http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/860/cabriowindshielddamagefromdcoverpasssizicatparents002kp9.jpg)

(IMG:http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/5250/cabriowindshielddamagefromdcoverpasssizicatparents003qn2.jpg)

(IMG:http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/9890/cabriowindshielddamagefromdcoverpasssizicatparents004ct0.jpg)



That hole you see is in line with the drivers head rest... I literally dodged that fucker comign into the car at 60.

Either it fell off the overpass or some kids threw it over. It happened at the 295 and 50 split in DC on 295 south headed into the ghetto, where the projects are.


the rock is my new favorite paperweight. If I let it out of my sight it may try to kill me again.

[ClayPerrine]

Andy...

Glad you are OK, and that there is no major damage to your car.


And for what it is worth, it happens here too. I see idiots on a 6 lane highway trying to make an exit from the left lane in rush hour traffic all the time. Betty and I have even decided that EVERYONE is out to get us, and we drive like they are.


I think I have an answer to why. The bozone level in the atmosphere is rising, and it is much higher in populated areas. Inhaling too much bozone makes you drive like a total idiot.

The CARB should measure the bozone emissions on all the cars on California and actively work to reduce the emissions of bozone.

[Sparky]

A slight clarification.
You live in CA....that is unique in traffic and especially highway etiquette and lack therof.

That's pretty funny, coming from someone in MA. Evidently you don't drive anywhere near Boston... The drivers around there are called "Massholes" for a reason!

--DD

Now come on Dave, we tend to be more aggressive sorta like cab drivers in Naples or Rome. We do still maintain some etiquette on the highways.

On a side note when you over this way again? We need to get Ed V up here and have a beverage or three.

[HarveyH]

I'm totally with you, Andy. I've gone on many a rant about the fact that in the USA, a driver's license is considered your primary identification, and a rite of passage for teenagers.

Can you imagine if pilot's licenses were handed out with the same degree of testing? A car is probably a more deadly weapon than a Cessna 152, and yet...

Actualy, a number of people I have known who have had pilots licenses for a long time think that is now the case. Apparently back in the good old days in order to get your basic single engine land license you had to be able to do a number of things that now require an aerobatics ticket.

I remember back when... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/slits.gif)

[flipb]

I'm totally with you, Andy. I've gone on many a rant about the fact that in the USA, a driver's license is considered your primary identification, and a rite of passage for teenagers.

Can you imagine if pilot's licenses were handed out with the same degree of testing? A car is probably a more deadly weapon than a Cessna 152, and yet...

Actualy, a number of people I have known who have had pilots licenses for a long time think that is now the case. Apparently back in the good old days in order to get your basic single engine land license you had to be able to do a number of things that now require an aerobatics ticket.

I remember back when... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/slits.gif)

If I had to guess, I'd imagine that the less stringent private pilot certification requirements are as much a function of the planes as the pilots. Demonstrating that you can recover from a deep stall in a 152 could probably rip its wings off.

That said... if I ever do go for my certification, I'd immediately pursue Instrument rating as well. Don't want to be another JFK Jr.

[kenshapiro2002]

Yeah...coulda been me! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

Took the 914 out today to drive to work. Nice CA fall day here ...

Going down 880 doing about 80 or so, the car in front of me runs over something that looked like a brake caliper in shape and size.
The thing flings up in the air and comes down right in front of me, hitting the front bumper about 2" away from the oil cooler and proceeds under the car making loud noises while hitting the floorpan.
It hit right next to the MC (no skid plate), under my seat and in the back


At this point i'm not sure if it hit the engine, headers or transmission.
So i slow down and look for oil smoke out the back, the oil pressure dropping or the check engine light coming on.

After a few miles, all still seems fine, so i speed up again. About a mile down the road, traffic in my lane slows down (i'm in the left lane) so i switch over to the right and there's a car stopped dead in the 3rd lane with his blinker on trying to cut over 3 lanes to take the exit he missed.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

I slam on the brakes and luckily there's just enough space one lane over between a truck (18 wheeler!) and a SUV for my car to slide in. Smoking tires and all.
I think i invented a few new swear words right then and there ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif)


I get to work and the front bumper has a big crack but at least i didn't see any oil leaking and i'm still alive. Could have been worse ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) Andy

[flipb]

A slight clarification.
You live in CA....that is unique in traffic and especially highway etiquette and lack therof.

That's pretty funny, coming from someone in MA. Evidently you don't drive anywhere near Boston... The drivers around there are called "Massholes" for a reason!

--DD

Now come on Dave, we tend to be more aggressive sorta like cab drivers in Naples or Rome. We do still maintain some etiquette on the highways.

On a side note when you over this way again? We need to get Ed V up here and have a beverage or three.

Oh, and just for the record... I drove in metro Boston for six years. There were plenty of Massholes, but I had just one accident (not my fault, someone backed into me in a crowded parking lot) during that time.

Moved to Metro DC, and I've been averaging almost an accident per year, none of them my fault.

Massholes are the primary source of road rage in the known universe, but most of them know how to drive. DC-area drivers are just morons.

[kenshapiro2002]

All of this is much more interesting when your primary is a Harley. Brake calipers and rocks can do more than take out your windshield.

[SirAndy]

All of this is much more interesting when your primary is a Harley. Brake calipers and rocks can do more than take out your windshield.

At least nobody will hear you scream like a little girl. Open pipes and all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Harley Davidson::::: The most efficient way to turn gasoline into noise without the side effect of creating horsepower.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[zymurgist]

DC-area drivers are just morons.

I live in Maryland and I approve this message.

[flipb]

On the original topic...

When I was 17 or 18, I borrowed my mom's Saab 900 convertible. I was on the highway doing about 60 when I saw a huge chunk of truck tire about 30 feet the air ahead of me (I think it was kicked up by a pickup truck that ran over it). Fortunately, there was space in the next lane for me to swerve, and I avoided that piece.

About ten seconds later, I saw a smaller chunk flying toward me. Probably about 1 foot long, couple inches wide. I sqeezed over just far enough for it to land next to the car, but it hit the ground at an angle - bounced toward the car and smacked the left front wheel pretty hard.

Being a teenager, I of course downplayed it... but the car never drove right after that. About a year later, the axle had to be replaced.

Sorry, Mom.