Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15
  1. #1
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    8,133
    Thanked: 5106

    Dead Right - Could Have Been

    I think I'm still a bit shaky.


    Approaching my left turn on a downhill in a 60 kph. My signal on, slowing down, the lady behind me slowing. In my outside mirror I caught a car passing from behind, going like a bat out of hell. I sat still while a white PT Cruiser literally screamed past on my left. The lady behind me stopped too.


    If I'd made that left hand turn I'd have been T-boned in my driver's side and maybe be dead now.


    We were heading to the Vet for a check on Oban's blood work and his UTI. I went in asked for help with a urine sample, figuring I was too messed up to get it myself. Lucky thing I didn't have some samples of my own after that scare.


    Folks, be careful out there.
    Last edited by Snowshoe; 09-01-2015 at 03:10 PM. Reason: driver side, not passenger, is where I would have been hit.

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Blackboy98's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    St. Louis, Mo.
    Posts
    2,287
    Thanked: 1464
    I use to love to drive. Anything, any where for any reason. Now driving to the grocery or even church can be a terrifying experience.

    People can no courtesy, common sense or pay attention to what they are doing (driving-only).

    So glad you did not turn early.
    Hidden Content

    CRACKER-My Heart Dog FOREVER 6/10/2005-7/9/2011

    Mike and Gabe--GOTCHA 7/25/2011

  3. #3
    Senior Dog Jeff's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Grand Rapids, MI
    Posts
    1,816
    Thanked: 2198
    You know, I see a lot more of this today as well. I honestly think it is cell phones. I have started looking at people driving slowly, erratically, not paying attention and every one has been on a cell phone. I watched the latest version of Mythbusters where they put people through all kinds of road tests in a virtual simulator to test cell phone driving, holding the phone and using a hands free device. They all but one person failed the test in both instances. Where a control group only 4 out of 30 failed the test. I believe it affects the other drivers around them as well. For example, the other day I pull up to a stop sign behind some lady I can see her on the phone. However, she is not going, just yacking. Did she forget she was sitting at a stop sign? Finally I go out and around her, but just then another car decided to turn in to road we were on. So could have hit me head on.

    The reason I didn't honk at the lady, a couple weeks ago I was behind someone they were on their phone doing the same thing, I honked, they flipped me off and got out of the car. Like it's my fault? I set my gun on the dashboard as they were walking up. They turned around and got back in their car. Your kind of damned if you do, damned if you don't.

  4. #4
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Carolina in my mind..
    Posts
    6,391
    Thanked: 4178
    I'm so glad you're OK. While I am firmly convinced these are entitled idiots who ought to have their licenses suspended, cell phones confiscated, every nasty thing, I know it's unlikely to deter them from future jerkyness. I try to tell myself maybe there was some medical emergency, family emergency, some legitimate reason that they are being a-holes.

    Again, I'm glad you checked your mirror!
    Sue

    Chase 9/29/2006- 6/30/2017 Always in our hearts
    Lark 12/25/2012- 2/2/22
    Henry 7/14/18
    Joey 5/14/2022

    “Because of the dog's joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born. What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?”

    Mary Oliver, Hidden Content

  5. #5
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    5,095
    Thanked: 1922
    It is getting worse. Around here, I think it's because school starts this week but holy cow! Glad you're safe.

  6. #6
    Senior Dog
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Earth
    Posts
    910
    Thanked: 354
    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff View Post
    You know, I see a lot more of this today as well. I honestly think it is cell phones. I have started looking at people driving slowly, erratically, not paying attention and every one has been on a cell phone. I watched the latest version of Mythbusters where they put people through all kinds of road tests in a virtual simulator to test cell phone driving, holding the phone and using a hands free device. They all but one person failed the test in both instances. Where a control group only 4 out of 30 failed the test. I believe it affects the other drivers around them as well. For example, the other day I pull up to a stop sign behind some lady I can see her on the phone. However, she is not going, just yacking. Did she forget she was sitting at a stop sign? Finally I go out and around her, but just then another car decided to turn in to road we were on. So could have hit me head on.

    The reason I didn't honk at the lady, a couple weeks ago I was behind someone they were on their phone doing the same thing, I honked, they flipped me off and got out of the car. Like it's my fault? I set my gun on the dashboard as they were walking up. They turned around and got back in their car. Your kind of damned if you do, damned if you don't.
    Agree! I see cars driving erratically or doing inappropriate speeds, with too slow or too fast for the driving conditions, and they are all on their phones. Here in Aus they announced yesterday increased penalties for driving whilst on a mobile. I am very happy with this because the fines were way too low to stop people risking being caught.
    Last edited by Georgie; 09-01-2015 at 07:12 PM.
    Trudy 6/16/11
    Gracie 6 years DSH cat
    Lily Lou rescue foster 2/10/14

  7. #7
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    10,985
    Thanked: 6722
    I'm so glad you are OK. That's too scary. It's horrible out on the road sometimes.

    My Dad came to a stop sign along with another car, four way stop. He motioned the other driver to go ahead, being nice. As they proceeded down the road they turned on, a car went through a stop sign and T-boned the car in front of Dad. He felt to bad about it. Like no good deed goes unpunished.
    Hidden Content
    Kissing Bandit

  8. #8
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    8,133
    Thanked: 5106
    Quote Originally Posted by Georgie View Post
    Agree! I see cars driving erratically or doing inappropriate speeds, with too slow or too fast for the driving conditions, and they are all on their phones. Here in Aus they announced yesterday increased penalties for driving whilst on a mobile. I am very happy with this because the fines were way too low to stop people risking being caught.
    Isn't that funny, fines went up here too, starting today. We also have new laws to say drivers must slow and move over (if possible to move over) for tow trucks. Before it was just for emergency vehicles, police and construction. And we now have fines for "dooring" bicyclists. Oh, and automatice 3 demerit points off your license. It didn't say on TV but I think your insurance company is now automatically notified as well. Trouble is, apart from the dooring, a lot of people are still going to get away with these things.

    I never used my phone in the car, it was always turned off. But this car has bluetooth so I can talk hands free and it is extremely convenient sometimes. I am absolutely amazed at how much it uses my attention to talk on the phone, even hands free. Way more demanding than talking to a real live passenger for some strange reason. I try not to do it and since few people have my cell number it doesn't happen often and when it does I'm pretty curt.

    ETA: I'm in Ontario

  9. #9
    Senior Dog Sandra's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Ottawa
    Posts
    983
    Thanked: 518
    Thank God you were driving defensively.

  10. #10
    Senior Dog Mr Kleb's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    here
    Posts
    2,200
    Thanked: 2001
    As Sandra said good thing you were driving defensively.

    You make a good point about the mental energy sapped by cell phone conversations as opposed to in-person conversations. The cognitive impairment as measured by brain scans can equal that of driving while substance-impaired. While I feel that there should be no cell phone use - none whatsoever - while driving, your awareness of the effect puts you far ahead of most people who do so.

    The fog was so thick during this mornings' commute that I felt 60 klicks was a prudent speed for much of the drive. At one point I was passed by a work van accelerating through perhaps 80. Hope he made it to his destination.

    Sometimes I think that drivers renewing their licence should be randomly selected to undergo a 'check ride' similar to what pilots must go through. No pass means a limited licence until you do pass.

    Glad you and Oban are safe.
    Andrew, Faye, Fitzi, and Lucy

    Not gone, only gone on ahead - Bruno, Rex, BoJo, Kendal, Kingsley, Moonpie, Avis, Corndog, Stella, and now Achilles

    I invite you to visit my blog, Hidden Content .

 



Not a Member of the Labrador Retriever Chat Forums Yet?
Register for Free and Share Your Labrador Retriever Photos

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •