Chuck said: <snip> Shortly after merging onto I-35W, I saw a sudden slowdown of traffic ahead of me, and stepped on the brakes. I had just removed my foot from the brake pedal when our car was struck from behind by a Jeep Cherokee driven by a young woman. <snip> Thanks for the report Chuck, and the reminder of the positive influence PW has had on you. I had a close call the other day too -- but I was the one trying to rear-end someone. It was a straight road where the speed limit is oft ignored. A car in front stopped to wait for the truck in front of them to turn left across the traffic. I wasn't well and wasn't paying attention on the straight-a-way. By the time I looked up, it was too late. I hit the brakes instinctively and went into a four-wheel drift. Within a second I had determined there was no way to avoid a terrible collision with the brakes engaged. I also hadn't used the bow and stern lines. I've only been driving _short distances_ because of my health. All I could think about was the poor lady getting severe whiplash, and my 100 lb Nordkapp flying through the air still attached to the roof rack, which would still be attached to the factory rack -- which very possibly could have easily ripped out of the roof's sheetmetal. I credit quick reaction time to years of rock-garden paddling: I was able to see out of the corner of my eye enough room between her right bumper and a street no-parking sign to my right, with just enough room for my van minus the right rear-view mirror maybe. As it turned out, I avoided the collision and even just missed the mirror and slipped by within inches after releasing the brakes and restoring steerage. I felt terrible and elated at the same time. I will _not_ be _not_ using bow and stern lines again, even on short trips under highway speeds. Glad you are okay. Was blowing up to 50-knots _and_ sunny on Juan De Fuca today, but could only look. Hopefully I will be better in a week or two. Miss 'dem waves. Doug *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Apr 23 2002 - 00:06:19 PDT
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