Interesting commute...
 

I'm on my way to work this AM (driving the M3). Somewhere between 5:30 and 5:45, ripping along ~90mph in the carpool lane (legal until 6:00am, well, the carpool lane part) when I see something ahead that just doesn't look quite right. I lift, try to get a closer look and HOLY ***** and slam on the brakes. There was a black/dark blue SUV 45 degrees sideways in the carpool lane! I'm glad I have ABS, and I think this is the 2nd time I've ever used it. I stopped about 10 feet from the driver's door. Luckily the guy closing fast behind me had ABS too, or I would have been creamed. I heard two sets of tire squeals beyond him.

I don't know all the details, but apparently Mr Rocket Scientist had some mech issue based on the fact that the hood was up and there was a good puddle of fluid on the ground, and for whatever reason, decided the best course of action was to exit stage left, and somehow couldn't get all the way over. But that wasn't enough! Our future Nobel Prize winner also decided it would be a good idea to turn off his lights, and hazard flashers would just call attention to his plight and make him look like a pussy, so let's not use those, either! But wait, there's more: for the hat trick, he somehow manges to lock himself out of the SUV!

Someone else had stopped to help, but they had pulled ahead of the sideways SUV, so they were behind the SUV from the perspective of oncoming traffic. What I originally saw that caused me to react was the side reflectors of the SUV and one of the taillights of the other vehicle, which was too far left to be 'normal'. One guy was standing there looking at the engine, while the other guy was pulling angrily on the driver's side door handle and cussin' up a storm. Traffic was backing up pretty good now, and I spent several minutes waiting for a spot to get back into traffic.

I wasn't even going to post this, but a co-worker just came in and said "Wow, did you see the huge wreck?!" I imagine someone came along who was just a little less observant than I was. :(

So glad I left SoCal...

Glad you're OK! I regularly see people changing tires, fixing stuff, etc on the side of the road within 10 feet of rushing traffic, last week was with the family and literally this guy's leg was almost in traffic....or how about standing in front of a car looking in the hood whilst broken down in a lane (sort of like your situation) people are just so unbelievably stupid!!!

There was a young girl whose car died one day on the local interstate right outside the city (still 6 lanes at this point but traffic is more sparse) and decided to just let it coast to a stop in the middle lane. Then she leaves it there and wanders off. No hazards flashing, nothing. Broad daylight.

Well, some other unsuspecting motorist doesn't realize that the car up ahead in the middle lane isn't moving and runs right into it. Kills 'em.

Idiots.

Mike

Thom, ya mean ....

George W Bush didn't allow more funding for wide shoulders on that stretch of road.

George W Bush hates Californians. . . and anti-lock brakes.

This morning I rode the Subway to work with an enhanced police presence due to a credible terrorist threat.

I made it to work safely, with my 4th and 5th Amendment Rights intact.

A small, but important, victory for our way of life.

you must have had you coffee already?? thank god for those lightening quicks.

Ok I'll play. Here in North County San Diego I awoke to find this mess -
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1128699280.jpg

I-5 is now also stopped with the overflow. I'm sitting at a Panera right now enjoying their free Wi-Fi, a spinich and bacon souffle, and several cups of coffee. If it does not lighten up in 2 hours I'm working from home today.

Ahhh, the morning commute in NYC. An act of pure joy! You guys stuck in traffic listening to Howard have no idea..

http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/.../coffeecup.gif

Boy I miss San Diego

try navigating this crap on a motorcycle...

well, actually it has its advantages and disadvantages.

And Legion, Thom is in NorCal. :p

I left my wallet in El Segundo.

In a sick kind of way I like riding in heavy/stopped traffic. After years of sitting in it wishing for a flying car I can now lane split with a grin on my face. Traffic...haha I laugh at traffic :)