Just because I know threshold braking...
Aug. 27th, 2005 01:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wolfwings...does not mean the gal behind me does. That was the last thought I had, almost literally. "Oh shit... I had to max-brake there and barely made it... BRACE! *WHAM*crinzt*"
Eclipse is now about 3 inches more compact, and has a face like the hunchback of Notre Dame.
Northbound on the 405, number 1 lane, sudden slowdown. And I mean to the point I realized, "I don't have time to blink my brakelights to warn the person behind me. I have to actually slam on the brakes and try not to spin out," sudden.
I stopped with around a foot to spare. And as my car was settling back on it's rear wheels again... it got lifted up and forward so the passenger-side headlight got shoved back about a foot into the car by the driver-side rear bumper of the car in front of me.
The gal behind me had a face covered in blood, as was her shirt, and full airbag deployment in the front of the car with the front of her car shortered by about... 2 feet, by comparison to the 3-4 inches my rear bumper got crunched. Now it's all up to the insurance companies, which'll be akward since both she and I are AAA members and have AAA insurance.
But this proves that I can tell if I can stop in time. And that that has no bearing on if the person behind me can.
Eclipse is now about 3 inches more compact, and has a face like the hunchback of Notre Dame.
Northbound on the 405, number 1 lane, sudden slowdown. And I mean to the point I realized, "I don't have time to blink my brakelights to warn the person behind me. I have to actually slam on the brakes and try not to spin out," sudden.
I stopped with around a foot to spare. And as my car was settling back on it's rear wheels again... it got lifted up and forward so the passenger-side headlight got shoved back about a foot into the car by the driver-side rear bumper of the car in front of me.
The gal behind me had a face covered in blood, as was her shirt, and full airbag deployment in the front of the car with the front of her car shortered by about... 2 feet, by comparison to the 3-4 inches my rear bumper got crunched. Now it's all up to the insurance companies, which'll be akward since both she and I are AAA members and have AAA insurance.
But this proves that I can tell if I can stop in time. And that that has no bearing on if the person behind me can.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-08-29 03:00 pm (UTC)When thinking of defensive driving, I'm reminded of an incident I had when driving to the local bank. I was driving slowly, as it just about in parking lot territoy. I was in my lane, totally in the right. Then this car comes, similar speed, cutting 'round the corner in front of me. And is heading right for me. In MY lane. We both kinda...stared at each other like..."You're not supposed to be THERE!" then I sloooooooowed down, and she went 'round me. But I couldn't drive anymore that day -- I spent the next twenty minutes going, "She wasn't supposed to be THERE!"
....the lesson, sweetie? Always expect that kind of shit. Always. Expect that the people around you aren't paying attention -- leave a HELL of a lot of room for it.
Driving isn't just learning to use the car, it's learning how to keep safe from the idiots out there. Consider taking a course (or two, or three...) on defensive driving.
I'm...upset for several reasons. I'm worried not only for your safety....but for the safety of those around you (including me)...and (this will sound weird) your societal standing. That last one is...odd. But I keep seeing it happen. You keep alienating people by your behavior. Stop. Look at the rules....look at the expectations...look at how other people live and manuever...and see how much you can stop pushing the envelope. Because it WILL break. It's already torn in a few places. And...it hurts when I see someone I love doing that.
How much room was between you and the car in front of you when this happened?