Sorry if I seemed in a bad mood. Frankly I haven't been posting much lately. That is another way of saying I haven't been getting *upset* at things as much lately (ARTYX notwithstanding which has been my long term pet peeve).
Around 4 years back I told you guys about a narrow escape I had when a car jumped over the median on the other side of the highway and crashed straight into me. I had a fractured sternum and was out of action for 2 months. More importantly I lived. Unbelievable. I got over it quickly. It wasn't my fault.
That was then. This is now. On my way to Austin, July 4, for my daughter's orientation at UT, I did something I don't normally do. I got "tired" of waiting behind an 18-wheeler. I changed lanes moving to the fastest but still under the speed limit which was still 70mph. Almost immediately I saw the bottle. I thought it was going to pass between the wheels. Last moment the wind blows it under my right tire.
BOOM!
I went off the road, crashed into the railing and totaled another van. My fault entirely. WTF did I have to change lanes? Wonder what would have happened if the railing was not there. We might have been in the ditch rolled over. I will try to post some photos. It was pretty nasty. While I braked I must have hit at at least 50 mph. My entire life - my entire family was with me. The only injury was scraping from airbags which is to be expected. We still made it to Austin thanks to a friend lending me his car, and then others lending me theirs while in Austin.
No thanks to me, we are all reborn that day. Until now I felt every problem I had was someone else's fault. So it was my right to get upset. Now I know better. I have been given a second chance, not at my life, but to make sure I live long enough to take care of my family. I can't even imagine what I would do if anything happened to them that day. The only reason I am penning this is because I realized I was getting upset. WTF do I care if M* and Artisan are pushing ARTYX? Bah!
Comments
That's just the way it is. If there's really someone "up there" watching over each and every sparrow they must be way too busy to worry about humans.
Glad to hear that everyone came through it OK... well, reasonably OK, anyway.
OJ
A difficult habit to break or merely bend. We are all guilty of it. Whether its investing or driving a car. I personally annoy those behind me as I coast to a red light while other relish in accelerating and breaking hard. I find myself using my hazards more and more on the highway when approaching slowing traffic. All this hustle equates to mere minutes, mere dollars...not worth the risk.
Learn from your experience. Feel grateful that no one was injured. Hang in there. Glad you felt it necessary to share this with others.
@bee- You too, h'mm?
Regards,
Ted
Congratulations VintageFreak on your survival! It appears the car didn't do as well as you did. Good for you.
Much of what happens on our highway system is location dependent. State stats vary considerably across our Nation. Many of these stats are very unexpected. For example, California drivers are not as bad as their reputation suggests. Here is a nice accident summary presented in an easy to understand graphic format:
https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2015/10/the-geography-of-car-deaths-in-america/410494/
Enjoy. Some parts of our Nation are far more challenging than others in terms of driving safety statistics. Like factors approaching five. Wow!! And I wish all of us safer long term outcomes. Although we don't have total command and control, we do have a significant input.
Best Wishes
Several years ago a deer ran out in front of our car was within the city limit and it rolled onto the hood and windshield. Once more roll, the deer would come into the car when the sunroof was open, and I would not be writing here. It was complete accident and the insurance adjuster got a good laugh over it.
I guy I worked with was in an accident in his SUV where he and his three boys ended up skidding down the road upside down, just like in the movies. Everyone was buckled in – No one was injured. A teachable moment? While the boys were freaked, I suggested he emphasize what a story they would have to tell …
And you, too, big guy. We can't avoid making choices, all of which have consequences but few of which have foreseeable consequences. So we do the best we can to be alert and thoughtful and forgiving, not least of all to ourselves.
David