Near Tragedy
Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 7:52 am
The Background - I have been the butt of a few good-natured jokes from the family and friends re my near obsession with everything safety when it comes to the t and t. (EBC truck brakes all around, Kodiak electro- hydraulic discs and HD pads on the trailer)
The Incident - Coming through Sioux City, Iowa on the interstate, in a construction area but the limit was still 50, a mini van blows through a Yield sign on the entry ramp to the interstate right in front of me, realizes that she has not looked or stopped to wait for a break in the very heavy traffic and comes to a DEAD STOP completely in the outside driving lane in front of yours truly.
Beside me, an 18 wheeler passing, behind me, a car followed by a concrete mixer truck - all doing the limit; to the right, a guardrail protecting the highway from the mighty Missiouri river. Absolutely no where to go.
I hit the brakes harder than I ever have with a heavy trailer in tow - I'm pleased to say that I did not jacknife, lose control or kill the idiot in front of me but it was very, very close...I heard all tires squeal on the verge of lock up (trailer has ABS too) and I smelt fried brake pad for about two hours after.
Of course the van driver drove off after a few seconds without a care in the world.
If I had been looking in the rear view or GPS for a nano-second it would have been tragic (somehow, the drivers behind me did not hit me - I was waiting for the crash, given the usual tail-gating that goes on.)
Moral of the story; pay attention always - sometimes the stupidest thing that can happen, does. Be safe!
The Incident - Coming through Sioux City, Iowa on the interstate, in a construction area but the limit was still 50, a mini van blows through a Yield sign on the entry ramp to the interstate right in front of me, realizes that she has not looked or stopped to wait for a break in the very heavy traffic and comes to a DEAD STOP completely in the outside driving lane in front of yours truly.
Beside me, an 18 wheeler passing, behind me, a car followed by a concrete mixer truck - all doing the limit; to the right, a guardrail protecting the highway from the mighty Missiouri river. Absolutely no where to go.
I hit the brakes harder than I ever have with a heavy trailer in tow - I'm pleased to say that I did not jacknife, lose control or kill the idiot in front of me but it was very, very close...I heard all tires squeal on the verge of lock up (trailer has ABS too) and I smelt fried brake pad for about two hours after.
Of course the van driver drove off after a few seconds without a care in the world.
If I had been looking in the rear view or GPS for a nano-second it would have been tragic (somehow, the drivers behind me did not hit me - I was waiting for the crash, given the usual tail-gating that goes on.)
Moral of the story; pay attention always - sometimes the stupidest thing that can happen, does. Be safe!
