911 handling saved the day

[htbetz]

Comming home from work last night I had someone pull in front of me going about 50mph. As I jamed on the brakes and swerved into the other lane to miss the yahoo that pulled in front of me I had another car comming head on - another quick yank of the steering wheel and I was suddenly around the mess. Burnt rubber smell and heart racing, I couldn't believe that I got through that situation. If I had a lesser handling car I'm convinced I wouldn't have averted a potentially serious accident. Everyone - be carefull, lot's of drivers with the holidays on their mind not paying atention. Thank you 911!

[widebody911]

I just had one myself. I'm turning onto Fair Oaks from Watt (Sacramento). There are 2 right turn lanes, and I'm in the 'inner' one, ie farther from the sidewalk. I make the turn, and have clear road ahead , but someone a few cars up in the other lane (closest to sidewalk) stops to turn into a business. The Schumacher-wannabe immediately to my right is having none of this, and seeing clear road in the other lane, makes a break for it. Unfortunately, I'm already abeam of him; I could brake, but then he'd either hit my front corner, or I'd hit his passenger door. So I pull left and nail it - I'm already well into 2nd. A little wheelspin, but it's all good. A couple things happened here: 1) I got out of the way in time; 2) I scared the holy crap out of him when my car went to redline. This guy then rides my ass all the way down Fair Oaks, and actually flashes his lights at me! I don't think he ever realized that there were 2 lanes, and from the way he didn't bother looking before he made the lane change, I'm guessing he's attended an SCCA Street School...

[howie944]

Sacramento here too! Seems like all those Fair Oaks intersections are murderous! The Sunrise one is a booger too! I frequently find myself at the Watt one. Fortunately I'm usually headed straight up Watt and don't have to make the turn. Headed to McLellan to do my retired GI commissary run or out to Niello. Careful how you go with this rain we've had lately....local school of thought is... Yeah I can drive just as fast as normal...I've got a SUV and hell what are rain tires for anyway if not to drive fast in the rain!

[beamonk]

going to work Friday morning some moron is looking at me and just pulls out. My car is how the hell can you miss me yellow and she just pulled right out. I cursed and honked making a wide swerve and got honked back. Idiots everywhere.

[Rouxzy]

I've never had to put the Pcar to the test against other motorists myself. But I did have to put her into action one day while travelling about 70 to miss a moose.

[JoeF]

"going to work Friday morning some moron is looking at me and just pulls out. "

I used to expierence this behavior more frequently on motorcycles. The offending driver looks right at you, but does not actually SEE you. The front profile of a smaller car (or motorcycle) does not have the visual impact of a larger vehicle, it does not register with the other driver as fast as a larger vehicle. You can create a larger visual impact for yourself by turning on your headlights. It sounds too simple to work, but it does have some merit. Stand about 50 yards in front of your P-Car, have someone switch on the headlights, it will convince you. You still got to watch out for morons though.
JoeF

[atlporsche]

I'll second driving with your lights on...I've even noticed how much easier it is to see people...

as for missing an "arrest me" yellow car??? go fig...

sjd