|
06-01-2016, 11:06 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2008 5 sp. LB Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Idahoi
Posts: 268
|
The rear view mirror is your best friend!
When I leave my workplace, I have a 13 mile drive home. After 3 miles I have a choice, stay on the "old highway", or get on the interstate. They run side by side, so no difference in miles. The Old Highway is posted 45 mph, most drive it 48-52 mph, the interstate is 80 mph. Depending on the day in town I've just had, and how soon I want to get the hell outa town, I'll often get on I-15 and drive it 60-65 mph, especially if there is a car or two in front of me driving especially slow, below the 45 per limit, on the old hwy, when I come to the I-15 on ramp. Rather then dawdle below 45 when I really want to get home, I'll hop on the big road and just drive it slow.
After 8 miles, my small town off ramp comes up, I had the cruise control set at 62, and the traffic was light (rural area). Only from force of habit did I glance in my rear view mirror before I hit the right turn signal while at the same time killing the cruise control. I noticed a black full sized SUV some distance behind me, and it appeared to be closing fast. No big deal, there was no one in the fast lane, ( I also keep an eye on that) no reason the SUV couldn't pass me on the left and continue on it's way while I took the off ramp without dropping its high rate of speed. For whatever reason, as I slowed slightly below 60 just about 50 yds from the 45 mph off ramp, I looked again and saw the SUV closure rate had continued, and it had not changed lanes. My first thought was "some asshole is going to buzz me as he blows my doors off", no big deal. Again, keep in mind the SUV had nobody except me to deal with, I wasn't slowing it down or getting in it's way. Now, about 25 yds from the off ramp itself, it continued to rapidly close, and right at the very last split second I realized it was going to hit me if I didn't take evasive action. I swerved to the right, onto the shoulder, just as the SUV swerved to the left, then it went into a series of swerves left/right while in the fast lane, nearly rolling. Now we were along side each other, and I thought for sure it was going over. To the drivers credit, the swerves damped out and the SUV got back under control and we had a brief moment of side by side eye contact. The lady driver made a series of hand movements that I took to mean "thank God you were watching your rear mirror, my bad, your initial swerve woke me the hell up, and I was able (barely), to miss rear ending you." I, to my credit, gave her a friendly wave, "it's cool, we're OK, that's the important thing". I rode motorcycles too many years to not check my ass end before slowing, and man it really paid off today. |
06-02-2016, 10:34 AM | #2 |
Drives: '15 Yaris SE 5MT Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Arizona (USA)
Posts: 1,058
|
I'm betting it was yet another idiot smartphone addict who was too busy playing with that device in some fashion to actually pay attention and drive properly. Defensive driving is more important than ever in a world overflowing with these irresponsible morons.
|
06-02-2016, 11:37 AM | #3 |
Drives: 2016 SE Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Silicon Valley
Posts: 1,136
|
I call 'em cellphone zombies
self centered me me me |
06-02-2016, 03:33 PM | #4 |
Drives: 2009 Base Hatch 2 Dr Auto Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: nj
Posts: 4,790
|
One of the often overlooked ways you can get killed/f ed up.
My wife, daughter and son don't ride motorcycles and have had about six reared era between them. Sorry for the spelling I have an I pad. I do ride an haven't had any. Wife even stops for yellow lites in spite of my screams!
__________________
Synthetic Oil: Its All In Your Head |
06-03-2016, 12:49 AM | #5 |
Drives: 2008 5 sp. LB Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Idahoi
Posts: 268
|
It always blows me away when people hit the brakes without a turn signal, and they never check their 6, not biker riders for sure.
Today when I got in the Yaris to go to work, I had a renewed appreciation for it, no dents in it, not totaled anyway! |
06-03-2016, 08:41 PM | #6 |
Drives: 2013 NCP130 Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 376
|
Wow. I thought we had all the idiot drivers here...
__________________
Running on standard AU 14" steel wheels (14x5 rims, 175/70R14 tyres). Added reversing camera and touch screen radio, cruise control, 16" rear wiper blade, tow bar and dash cam. |
06-04-2016, 11:35 AM | #7 |
Drives: 2007 red Yaris HB AT Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: southeast USA
Posts: 197
|
|
06-07-2016, 04:52 PM | #8 |
Drives: 2008 5 sp. LB Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Idahoi
Posts: 268
|
There is a port of entry just up from where this happened, 1/4 mile away, same lane, so semi's are pulling out at 45 mph all the time in the area. I'll be damned if I'm going to drive it 80, the speed limit. I was going a bit over 60, had the cruise set, and only bumped it off and fell to 58 or so about 100' before the downhill off ramp. Not only am I not going to cruise at 80, I'm not going to take the off ramp at 80 and then slam on the brakes. I get your point, (and why I use my mirror) but 60+ ain't too damn slow, the SUV driver was totally at fault. With the mountains in our areas often times the big rigs, including me when driving my crane, are lucky to maintain 45, so drivers like the one in that SUV have no excuse for running up someones tailpipe, other then inattention.
|
06-07-2016, 10:48 PM | #9 | |
Drives: '15 Yaris SE 5MT Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Arizona (USA)
Posts: 1,058
|
Quote:
|
|
06-08-2016, 12:05 AM | #10 | |
Drives: 2014 Yaris SE Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,076
|
Quote:
|
|
06-09-2016, 11:26 AM | #11 | |
2ZR swap. DO IT! Ask how!
Drives: 09 Meteoric Metallic HB Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 2,333
|
Quote:
|
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
NEWS: TOYOTA REVEALS ALL-NEW YARIS SEDAN AT 2006 LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW | VitzBoy | General Yaris / Vitz Discussion | 7 | 09-20-2023 07:50 AM |
Temp guage and compass in Rear view mirror | Chaad32 | Cosmetic Modifications (Exterior/Interior) | 10 | 10-30-2020 07:47 PM |
2012 Nissan Versa | Kal-El | Off-topic / Other Cars / Everything else Discussions | 22 | 06-15-2012 04:48 PM |
When will the Yaris hit the showrooms at dealers? | Petrolhead | New YARIS Purchase Forum | 181 | 11-28-2011 07:03 AM |
Another rear spring option! Honda Fit springs!! | kngrsll | Wheels, Tires and Suspension Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack | 29 | 10-23-2009 05:02 PM |