Near Death Experience

[steve1 5]

Gees it feels good to be alive. This morning I came within inches of a head on collision with a pickup going 60 or 70 right at me. I was flying about the same speed right at him. Apparently the other guy fell asleep and headed into my lane, on a two lane highway. He may have been drunk. There was no place to go, I went to the right as far as I could go without going off and embankment. So at the last second I made a quick turn into the left lane missing him by about an inch.

The roads were icy so I was lucky my tires allowed me turn that quick. So, then this other dip shit flies into the ditch almost rolling his truck, tearing off one of his wheels in the process. He may have been drunk, and I'm leaving the police to sort that out.

I've come close to deaths door more than once in my day, a couple times skydiving, and I'll tell you, it feels great not to be in a body bag after something like that happens. I've had some work related problems eating at me recently, but having a really close call puts things back into the proper perspective.

It makes you realize that it's not worth sweating the small stuff. Life's just to short for that. I'm going to go home tonight and celebrate another day on planet earth....Steve1

[mamajumps 0]

Glad you're alright! The road I live on people race up and down everyday and its a very narrow not quite 2 lane wide rd way out in the country and you cant see around any of the corners that you have to go around due to over growth. Yesterday I don't know how this truck didnt hit me, he was all th e way on my side going around an S curve, I still don't know how we missed... IDIOT.... It does scare the pee out of you.....

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

Apparently the other guy fell asleep and headed into my lane, on a two lane highway. He may have been drunk. There was no place to go, I went to the right as far as I could go without going off and embankment. So at the last second I made a quick turn into the left lane missing him by about an inch.

Gutsy move. That's the way to be heads-up, just like skydiving - keep thinking all the time, and never give up. Glad you're still here.

Too many people would just freeze up at a moment like that, and then they're doomed.

I have this theory that skydivers are more likely to remain calm and rational to take action to avoid accidents, than most other drivers. Because they've become accustomed to thinking and acting under extreme stress. You are a case in point.

[steve1 5]

[The111 1]

Quote

I have this theory that skydivers are more likely to remain calm and rational to take action to avoid accidents, than most other drivers. Because they've become accustomed to thinking and acting under extreme stress. You are a case in point.

What about another theory that people who are pre-disposed to handling situations like this are more likely to become skydivers... or at least good skydivers. It's funny, I do clumsy things all the time that are inexcusable, but when it REALLY matters I almost always stay calm and do it right, even before I skydived (with one notable exception in my mind).

What I get the biggest kick out of, is when I'm driving on the cell phone, or some other big no-no, and manage to be the better, more aware driver, averting an accident that the other non-cell-phone-using driver isn't even aware of.

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[Lastchance 0]

Geez Steve. Sure glad to hear that you are alright. That sounds like a butt puckering experience to me. You're right about those events putting life into perspective and not sweating the small stuff. I have to remind myself of that on a weekly basis.
I had a similar experience happen to me about a month ago. I was on a four lane without a divider and I look ahead a ways and there is a truck crossing the center line. There is still a considerable space between us still at this point. I am in the passing lane at this time. I'm thinking to myself that who ever is driving will notice what they are doing and pull back. WRONG. She just kept coming. I luckily had the other lane to get over to. When the woman went past me I was on the far right shoulder and she was halfway int my driving lane. As she went passed me it was obvious that she was dialing a cell phone. I didn't hit the hit the horn for fear of her jerking her wheel. She never even seen me go by she was so intent on what she was doing.
Anyway Steve, again glad you're ok. hope to see you soon. I'm hoping to hit the Prairie this Sun. if the weather holds. Maybe Kal city. Take care and watch out for drunk drivers.

I may be getting old but I got to see all the cool bands.

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

What about another theory that people who are pre-disposed to handling situations like this are more likely to become skydivers... or at least good skydivers.

Could be. Maybe there is a "nature vs. nurture" argument here. It's an interesting concept to ponder.