A Close Brush With Death...

[Red October1984]

At 2150 last night, I rolled my car down a hill.

If I didn't have a seatbelt I'd be sitting in a morgue. Just by the look of the car I should not be walking today.

One of the cops came up to me and asked me "How the hell did you get out of that?!"

I came over the hill, lost control, hit the ditch, rolled across the road and down the road at least 3 full times and landed upside down. None of the doors would open so I had to force one of them open. I remember hitting the ditch and suddenly the car moved like it wasn't supposed to. I started screaming and I saw all the glass shatter against the pavement and it kept going. My seatbelt held me where I was and my head hit the top of the car. It was dark so I'm not exactly sure where I was when it was over...but I was less than a quarter mile from my driveway. I got out, sat down in the ditch...took my sock cap and gloves off and made some calls....

If anybody had been in the passenger seat, I would've killed them.

I came out with back pain....they took me in the ambulance. CAT scans and X-Rays came back good. No blood in my urine.

God has a purpose for me on this Earth and it wasn't my time.

I can't even begin to think how lucky I am. Somebody up there was looking out for me.

I couldn't even read any of the texts/posts from my friends....I couldn't do it without breaking down...

[Betonov]

Glad you made it out OK :up:

What car was it.

[Tango589]

You are one lucky puppy! Any idea what caused the accident coming over the hill, icy road, speed, blown tyre perhaps?

Someone really was looking out for you.

[Wolferz]

The first one is always the worst, Red. Happy you came out of it unscathed.:up: Most car accidents happen within five miles of home and your seat belt did it's job by keeping you in the vehicle, instead of being thrown out and crushed by a rolling mass of metal.
We're going to need some pictures as soon as you stop shaking.:03:

Did you notice that time seems to slow down when something like this happens?

[Red October1984]

Glad you made it out OK :up:

What car was it.

Ford Focus.... :doh:

You are one lucky puppy! Any idea what caused the accident coming over the hill, icy road, speed, blown tyre perhaps?

Someone really was looking out for you.

I had a small spare tire still on it from last week....there was a dog at the top of the hill. Still not sure if I hit it or not. I had to have with the way I turned.

So....the lucky puppy.....the irony....

Did you notice that time seems to slow down when something like this happens?

Yeah.....but the only slow part was when on the first roll where I saw everything break....

[Jimbuna]

Your a very lucky young man and I'm pleased your okay, now put the lottery on :sunny:



God has a purpose for me on this Earth and it wasn't my time.



Possibly a crash test dummy? :hmmm:

[Wolferz]

Your a very lucky young man and I'm pleased your okay, now put the lottery on :sunny:



Possibly a crash test dummy? :hmmm:
That was cruel. FUNNY but cruel.

[Oberon]

Lucky lad, close scrape indeed, how fast were you going at the time?

[Rhodes]

Glad you are OK!

[Wolferz]

Let me see if I got this right...
You were driving around with a space saver spare on the car?

Check the owners manual, I bet it tells you not to do that.:know:

Captain Hindsight says; "I'll never do that again!"

[Betonov]

Ford focus you say :)

That puts a new meaning to the F... Only Rolls Downhill :)

[Jimbuna]

Ford focus you say :)

That puts a new meaning to the F... Only Rolls Downhill :)

Hey!! One of my cars is a Focus :stare:

[Betonov]

Hey!! One of my cars is a Focus :stare:

My father owns a Mondeo :O:

[Wolferz]

Hey!! One of my cars is a Focus :stare:

Found
On
Road
Dead

[Sailor Steve]

Found
On
Road
Dead
Fix
Or
Replace
Daily

Mind you, two of my favorite cars I've owned have been Fords.

[Schroeder]

Do never do more than 50 mph with one of those tyres and replace them as quickly as possible. They are just for emergencies and offer considerably less performance than the other tyres.

Good thing you made it out in one piece though it sounds like the car is a complete write off.:-?

@Betonov, Wolferz, Sailor Steve

The Focus is a German design not American junk so stop mocking it immediately!:hmph:

:O:

[Cybermat47]

Holy... :o

That must've been pretty damn scary.

You're one of the nicest people I know. I'm glad you survived :salute:

[RickC Sniper]

Glad you are okay.

[Jimbuna]

Found
On
Road
Dead

Not quite...three year old now and soon to be replaced.

[Sailor Steve]

The Focus is a German design not American junk so stop mocking it immediately!:hmph:

:O:
One of my Fords was a '74 Mustang II. I've reported before that its German engine was one of the worst I've ever seen - thirty-five tiny 7mm bolts needed to be taken out and the whole front of the engine removed just to replace the water pump? My '65 Chevy panel truck had four 1/2" bolts on the fan and four more on the pump itself, and the new one was in in fifteen minutes.

My last car before this one was a '94 Ford Escort wagon, and I loved it. Its engine was Japanese, I think, but I'm not sure. If it was German then I praise it. They replaced the Escort with the Focus and it's easily the better car, but I've never been able to get around how very ugly it is.

[CCIP]

Whoa! Really glad you're okay, hope you're feeling alright today :o

[Red October1984]

Do never do more than 50 mph with one of those tyres and replace them as quickly as possible. They are just for emergencies and offer considerably less performance than the other tyres.

Good thing you made it out in one piece though it sounds like the car is a complete write off.

That same day my dad got a new tire ready to go. I was going to have it put on as soon as I got home.

I was going about 50-55....which is speed limit here.

Yeah. Completely destroyed.

https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/1609814_492527580865588_95712250_n.jpg

Holy... :o

That must've been pretty damn scary.

You're one of the nicest people I know. I'm glad you survived :salute:

Scariest thing I've ever been through. When you make noises like that, you know it's bad.

I'm glad I survived too.... :03:

[Oberon]

Yup, that's not going to drive in a straight line again.
The roll cage held well though, modern cars may not have the soul of their predecessors but they generally are a lot more safer in their design. :yep:

[Tango589]

OH MY ****E!:o

You did very well to walk away. I see what you mean about the passenger side copping it. Still, a bit of a wash and polish with one of those tree air-fresheners inside and she'll be good as new.:huh:

[TarJak]

I've seen minicabs in Newcastle in worse shape than that.

You're extremely lucky not to have been as wrecked as the car. Hope you have learned a valuable lesson.

[nikimcbee]

Glad you're still with us.:up: Good thing you were wearing a seatbeat.



The first one is always the worst, Red. Happy you came out of it unscathed.:up: Most car accidents happen within five miles of home and your seat belt did it's job by keeping you in the vehicle, instead of being thrown out and crushed by a rolling mass of metal.
We're going to need some pictures as soon as you stop shaking.:03:

Did you notice that time seems to slow down when something like this happens?

I was in a car that flipped over and the weird thing was, I blacked out but I remember hearing everything:doh:. When I came to, I was hanging upside down in my seat beat. Only wound, a small cut on my finger.

[Red October1984]

Yup, that's not going to drive in a straight line again.
The roll cage held well though, modern cars may not have the soul of their predecessors but they generally are a lot more safer in their design. :yep:

There was enough room for a big guy like me to fit still....

OH MY ****E!:o

You did very well to walk away. I see what you mean about the passenger side copping it. Still, a bit of a wash and polish with one of those tree air-fresheners inside and she'll be good as new.:huh:

I actually found the air freshener from my car in the ditch when I stopped at the scene today.

This is what it looked like last night just 10 minutes after it happened.

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/q71/1545769_492260107559002_656802523_n.jpg

There are gouges inches deep all over the road. Looking again at the scene in daylight. I rolled 3 times after my tires caught the ditch on the left side of the road. Rolled maybe 75 yards before coming to a stop.

Luckily I hit the shallow ditch....on the right side it drops off about 25 feet to a treeline.

I've seen minicabs in Newcastle in worse shape than that.

You're extremely lucky not to have been as wrecked as the car. Hope you have learned a valuable lesson.

I've seen cars in worse shape....I've shaken the hand of people who have been messed up for life from a wreck less severe than this one.

I still can't believe that I'm completely unhurt (although very sore)


EDIT: Not to mention this was on a downhill road

[nikimcbee]

@Betonov, Wolferz, Sailor Steve

The Focus is a German design not American junk so stop mocking it immediately!:hmph:

:O:

Are you sure you want to admit to that?:D

[Tango589]

I actually found the air freshener from my car in the ditch when I stopped at the scene today.

So, not a complete loss then!:haha:

[Tribesman]

So you used a tire that is only supposed to last for 50 miles and shouldn't exceed 50mph or it will blow out.

You exceeded the speed.
In the week that the tire was on the car did you exceed the 50 miles of driving too?

You were lucky, that could have been a Darwin Award for yourself, or worse your negligent driving could have killed someone else.
Still maybe you will learn from your expensive mistake.

BTW you have written enough for your insurance company to invalidate your cover:yep:

[Sailor Steve]

Scariest thing I've ever been through.
Looking at what's left of the car, I'm not surprised. Glad you're okay. :sunny:

[Wolferz]

So you used a tire that is only supposed to last for 50 miles and shouldn't exceed 50mph or it will blow out.

You exceeded the speed.
In the week that the tire was on the car did you exceed the 50 miles of driving too?

You were lucky, that could have been a Darwin Award for yourself, or worse your negligent driving could have killed someone else.
Still maybe you will learn from your expensive mistake.

BTW you have written enough for your insurance company to invalidate your cover:yep:

Quick Red, delete your posts!

I'm not going to lecture about your tire mistake. That's been covered already.:-? Besides, I thought all you Misery boys liked to swerve off the road to hit animals on purpose.:03: That's what really happened, isn't it? Plead the fifth now.:O:

[em2nought]

Everybody seems so certain that the donut was the culprit. :hmmm:

Glad you're amongst the living still!

[u crank]

You are a lucky young man Red. Glad to hear you are allright. :up:

[BrucePartington]

Above all, Red, I am glad you came out unscathed, if a bit sore.

Everybody seems so certain that the donut was the culprit. :hmmm:

(snip)
My thoughts exactly. Is that a patch of snow I see in the day time photo? You could have driven over a patch of ice and not notice it.

It's amazing what a patch of slippery road can do. Back in '92, when I was in Pittsburgh, I was driving uphill heading towards South Hills, in a drizzle, and a traffic light turned red. I stopped my Ford Fiesta. The lady driving a Cadillac Eldorado behind me was unable to stop and rear ended my little Fiesta. I ended up facing the roof, my seat broke with impact. My neck was sore for a week. Mind you, I estimate her impact speed at around 30 mph tops. Naturally the Fiesta was a write off.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Glad you're OK, Red.

Seatbelt saved my life, and a rollcage - don't think the fibreglass roof would've done much for me. Clunk-click every trip. We rolled three times too, but finished on the wheels - doors wouldn't open but once I'd turned off the wipers we climbed out where the cabin roof and windscreen used to be.

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/2334/crashme.jpg

[Wolferz]

Everybody seems so certain that the donut was the culprit. :hmmm:

Glad you're amongst the living still!

There's a good reason why I'm certain that the donut was the major variable in the equation. I was a parts man in a GM dealership for nine years. I was responsible for supplying the body shop and I've seen the aftermath of about every kind of wreck possible. A donut spare tire has a limited speed and length of use requirement. From what Red has told us, both were exceeded.

Any vehicle with mismatched tires has a higher probability of becoming grossly unstable except under optimal conditions. It could very well have been black ice but, the donut would have been one of the major factors in the loss of control. If the proper tire was on the car, Red would most likely have only a story about nearly hitting a dog to tell.
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Wolferz_2007/brian-griffin-jaw-drop-o.gif

Still, we're glad you're in one piece dude.:up:

Time to change your nick... to CrashOctober. That should really sit well with a flight instructor.:haha:

Full coverage insurance I hope.

[swamprat69er]

Glad you are okay. The car can be replaced. You can't.

[Platapus]

I read that most accidents happen within a few miles of home.

So I moved and I have not had an accident since then.

Coincidence? :D

[Wolferz]

I read that most accidents happen within a few miles of home.

So I moved and I have not had an accident since then.

Coincidence? :D

Does that mean you're homeless?:03::-?

[Oberon]

Glad you're OK, Red.

Seatbelt saved my life, and a rollcage - don't think the fibreglass roof would've done much for me. Clunk-click every trip. We rolled three times too, but finished on the wheels - doors wouldn't open but once I'd turned off the wipers we climbed out where the cabin roof and windscreen used to be.

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/2334/crashme.jpg

Nick some panels off an old Rover, take a hammer to the tracking, brush the sand off, good as new. :up:

[frau kaleun]

Wow, just saw the picture of (what's left of) your car. :huh: So glad you're okay!

[nikimcbee]

Glad you're OK, Red.

Seatbelt saved my life, and a rollcage - don't think the fibreglass roof would've done much for me. Clunk-click every trip. We rolled three times too, but finished on the wheels - doors wouldn't open but once I'd turned off the wipers we climbed out where the cabin roof and windscreen used to be.




How did that happen?

[Madox58]

Glad your OK.
BUT!
I have to say this.
I have seen countless 'accidents' due to people that put those spares on and drive like a new tire was on the car.
Many of those 'accidents' I've seen bodies pulled from. And they weren't live bodies!

RTFM!! Those 'spares' are ONLY to get you to a place to get a real tire.
I don't have any sympathy for you.
You could have killed someone that had nothing to do with a VERY BAD decision!
:nope:

As much as I travel? It could have been me you killed!

[Buddahaid]

I read that most accidents happen within a few miles of home.

So I moved and I have not had an accident since then.

Coincidence? :D

Also glad you're OK. I remember it as ten miles but that statistic has always bothered me because most people don't drive much further than that most of the time.

[Onkel Neal]

Fix
Or
Replace
Daily

Mind you, two of my favorite cars I've owned have been Fords.

First
On
Race
Day :rock:

Yeah, when you have a close call, it really sharpens your mind and helps you slow down and appreciate life.

[Red October1984]

So you used a tire that is only supposed to last for 50 miles and shouldn't exceed 50mph or it will blow out.

You exceeded the speed.
In the week that the tire was on the car did you exceed the 50 miles of driving too?

You were lucky, that could have been a Darwin Award for yourself, or worse your negligent driving could have killed someone else.
Still maybe you will learn from your expensive mistake.

BTW you have written enough for your insurance company to invalidate your cover:yep:

Donut doesn't say there's a speed limit on it...and I was told mine was good for 120 miles or something like that.

I'm not in the mood for arguing over criticism. You weren't there. We can't prepare for how we're going to react in a freak accident. Instinct took over and I did my best.

I still picked the right ditch. If I had gone off to the other side I wouldn't be here.

There are so many other things that could've gone wrong. The donut tire did not blow out. It's still intact, however the rim is bent from the roll.

Looking at what's left of the car, I'm not surprised. Glad you're okay. :sunny:

:up:

Glad you're OK, Red.

Seatbelt saved my life, and a rollcage - don't think the fibreglass roof would've done much for me. Clunk-click every trip. We rolled three times too, but finished on the wheels - doors wouldn't open but once I'd turned off the wipers we climbed out where the cabin roof and windscreen used to be.

The wipers still worked after the wreck? :har:

I think I had one interior light that worked and the one taillight worked after the wreck. Forget the wipers...

There's a good reason why I'm certain that the donut was the major variable in the equation. I was a parts man in a GM dealership for nine years. I was responsible for supplying the body shop and I've seen the aftermath of about every kind of wreck possible. A donut spare tire has a limited speed and length of use requirement. From what Red has told us, both were exceeded.

I drive no more than 10 miles a day to school and back. I had it on the car for 4 days.

Nobody ever told me there was a speed limit on the donut. That might have been a good idea to tell me that....

Time to change your nick... to CrashOctober. That should really sit well with a flight instructor.:haha:

Full coverage insurance I hope.

:shifty:

And just liability and medical basically. Won't raise the cost very much (if it even raises it) because there were no moving violations.

I'll come out of this okay...but carless.

First
On
Race
Day :rock:

Yeah, when you have a close call, it really sharpens your mind and helps you slow down and appreciate life.

Today was a drag. I have that "thousand yard stare" people talk about.

Not much to say...too much to think about.

Even if I would've hit that dog, I would've probably totaled that car anyway. Either way it would've ended bad with the way the road is.

____

Today I saw one of my best friends for the first time since yesterday.... I showed him the road and told the story...all he did was hug me and say that he was glad I was alright.

He told me that as soon as he heard last night that he was dressed ready to go....and when he heard I was going in the ambulance....that he got down and prayed for a straight few minutes.

Added to the post on Instagram from my other "brother" that I couldn't read without breaking down....

I have some good friends...

I seem to have bad luck at everything I do....but this....

....this was a stroke of good luck. I firmly believe that God saved me from that....and that it's not my time. I have a purpose here.

[HW3]

Glad you are ok Red. God does have a way of getting our attention now and then.

[swamprat69er]

Looks like you are lucky to be alive. Says something for seatbelts, too.

[Gerald]

Buddy! I'm glad you made it,and you did not get any injuries.:yep:

[Red October1984]

NOPE! 50 mph for 50 miles. S.O.P. You did four days-10 miles each way? you were over! AND never on the front. It takes more time yeah but change out even a bad rear to the front and put the donut on the rear only. When the road is cold, the rubber tire tread never grips as well and if at the top of a hill briefly, the downward weight of the car is lessened at speed( every racer/trucker knows this) and between the cold pavement, less pliant tread and weight reduction, the friction coefficient of the vastly inferior treaded donut is not helping...especially on a front steerer!. If on a rear drive it can cause fish-tailing. AS with a previous post, learn from others mistakes; you got real lucky on this one...and that cool Moisin-Nagant rifle needs some luv BBY...(recheck the music thread!):D

My car was a front wheel drive and the donut was the rear right tire.

I'm not a racer or trucker.

I've been driving for a year and 5 months.

Cut me slack, will ya?

That Mosin Nagant won't get love til my neck and back are 100%

Buddy! I'm glad you made it,and you did not get any injuries.:yep:

I can't even begin to tell you how much I agree. :yep:

[Tribesman]

Donut doesn't say there's a speed limit on it...and I was told mine was good for 120 miles or something like that.

I'm not in the mood for arguing over criticism. You weren't there. We can't prepare for how we're going to react in a freak accident. Instinct took over and I did my best.

I still picked the right ditch. If I had gone off to the other side I wouldn't be here.

There are so many other things that could've gone wrong. The donut tire did not blow out. It's still intact, however the rim is bent from the roll.

Your car, your tire, you're responsible. It comes with being the driver.
If you are not in the mood for arguing over criticism you shouldn't try to defend yourself.
Trying to defend yourself is futile, too many people have already pointed out the problem and it was of your own making.
No blow out? fine what about all the other warnings you didn't follow, speed control stability brakes....
As someone put it less politely but far more succinctly ...RTFM.
Those toytown tires are only for very limited and very restricted use.

[TarJak]

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/31947/are-space-savers-safe

When we tried the run with the space-saver on the rear, even expert road tester Owen couldn’t stop the Justy spinning through 180 degrees. We then attempted the lane change at a reckless 65mph: the Subaru made it through, but only an expert driver with several practice runs under his belt could have done it.

You need to understand the limitations of the equipment you are working with BEFORE you use it. Anything else is simply irresponsible to both your own and other's safety. You're lucky the police don't charge you with negligent driving, let alone living through the experience.

Don't come here looking for sympathy, you won't find any. No accidents are freaks and all are preventable. http://www.safetymanscorner.com/content/all-accidents-are-preventable
Accidents happen because people did not do his best to prevent it. Most people believe that accidents do happen no matter what we do prevent it. This is the reason why people are not doing their best to avoid and prevent accidents from happening.

Some people also tend to be complacent and over confident for a lot of reasons. “I have been doing this many times and I never made any mistakes why worry now.”

[Wolferz]

God does have a plan for you...

Not to kill yourself being ignorant of your iron horses' operating parameters.:03: I gather that the car was purchased used? Was the owners manual still with the car? Did you read it if it was?
Now that you learned the lesson, I'm sure the next time you have a flat tire you'll, at the very least, call AAA to come fix it before proceeding.:timeout: Or park the thing until it's 100% safe to drive it.
It's a pity about the loss of the vehicle but better than losing you.:huh:

We're only taking you to the woodshed for instruction.:03:

Experience is the mother of learning and sometimes she's not the mothering type
So, gratefully take some advice from a guy who has operated many different vehicles over a period of over 40 years and never had a chargeable accident and only one catastrophic accident, by never getting comfortable while behind the wheel. Automobiles weigh @ two tons. Fear them always because once that fear is gone, these things can happen in a splicket. That's half a New York second on my watch. Now get back on your NEXT horse and drive safely.:arrgh!:

[Schroeder]

What should also be mentioned is that those emergency tyres might cause ABS and ESP to not work properly anymore as they are calibrated for normal tyres. That can get one in a whole lot of trouble.:-?

[Herr-Berbunch]

I was just about to post the same link as TarJak. Tyre depth has nothing to do with it, it creates asymmetry which isn't great. And not wanting to cause an argument - your the driver, you have the responsibility to ensure the car is in tip-top working order.

Lesson learnt, move on and don't repeat - I doubt you will now.

[Red October1984]

Your car, your tire, you're responsible. It comes with being the driver.
If you are not in the mood for arguing over criticism you shouldn't try to defend yourself.
Trying to defend yourself is futile, too many people have already pointed out the problem and it was of your own making.
No blow out? fine what about all the other warnings you didn't follow, speed control stability brakes....
As someone put it less politely but far more succinctly ...RTFM.
Those toytown tires are only for very limited and very restricted use.

My car didn't come with the "FM" to "R"

I realize that I'm responsible...but nobody told me and nobody was in a hurry to get me a new tire. I don't have a job so I didn't have money to buy one.

We got one. Car wrecked. End of story.

God does have a plan for you...

Not to kill yourself being ignorant of your iron horses' operating parameters.:03: I gather that the car was purchased used? Was the owners manual still with the car? Did you read it if it was?
Now that you learned the lesson, I'm sure the next time you have a flat tire you'll, at the very least, call AAA to come fix it before proceeding.:timeout: Or park the thing until it's 100% safe to drive it.
It's a pity about the loss of the vehicle but better than losing you.:huh:

We're only taking you to the woodshed for instruction.:03:

Experience is the mother of learning and sometimes she's not the mothering type
So, gratefully take some advice from a guy who has operated many different vehicles over a period of over 40 years and never had a chargeable accident and only one catastrophic accident, by never getting comfortable while behind the wheel. Automobiles weigh @ two tons. Fear them always because once that fear is gone, these things can happen in a splicket. That's half a New York second on my watch. Now get back on your NEXT horse and drive safely.:arrgh!:

I won't be getting another horse for a while now...and with all this stuff going on this is a really bad time.

I was just about to post the same link as TarJak. Tyre depth has nothing to do with it, it creates asymmetry which isn't great. And not wanting to cause an argument - your the driver, you have the responsibility to ensure the car is in tip-top working order.

Lesson learnt, move on and don't repeat - I doubt you will now.

:yep:

If I get another Focus....I have 3 good wheels I can use....but we'll probably scrap this one before I get another.


---

It wasn't a tire issue...I just swerved too hard for the speed I was going.

From the official report:

VEH1 SWERVED TO AVOID AN ANIMAL RAN OFF THE ROADWAY AND OVERTURNED

They have the wrong middle initial in the Highway Patrol report...but it wasn't a tire issue on this one. It wouldn't have made a difference if I had a normal tire on there.

[nikimcbee]

I forget, what were the road conditions like? Dry, wet, icy?

[Red October1984]

I forget, what were the road conditions like? Dry, wet, icy?

It was cold...but it was a normal road. No ice, water, or anything. Just a drop off over a crest of the hill.

[nikimcbee]

It was cold...but it was a normal road. No ice, water, or anything. Just a drop off over a crest of the hill.


By cold, was it above or below freezing?

[Oberon]

The tyre could feasibly have affected the brakes but honestly you're probably right, nevertheless the other chaps do have a good point to make in using the car with that tyre, but as has already been said, the lesson has been learnt and you're not going to do that again in a hurry. No-one is perfect after all, and the main thing to be grateful for is that you're alive and no-one else was hurt or killed, except possibly the dog.

I must admit, that's one of the things that always terrified me when driving, and I think it was my biggest holdback when I was learning to drive and probably one of the reasons I never finished it, I was acutely aware the entire time I was driving that I was driving something that could very easily kill me and a whole slew of people around me if I just had a moments lapse of judgement or concentration. Never liked going at dual carriageway speed, despite my instructors constant prompt of "More Gas", and never liked power steering, still don't, far too twitchy, too easy to overcontrol.

[Sailor Steve]

I was acutely aware the entire time I was driving that I was driving something that could very easily kill me and a whole slew of people around me if I just had a moments lapse of judgement or concentration.
That is something that everyone who ever gets behind the wheel should keep in mind, and the vast majority don't. It's not a magic carpet.

[Red October1984]

By cold, was it above or below freezing?

I don't know exactly. Maybe in the 20s with a very cold wind chill.

No precipitation for weeks, however.

The tyre could feasibly have affected the brakes but honestly you're probably right, nevertheless the other chaps do have a good point to make in using the car with that tyre, but as has already been said, the lesson has been learnt and you're not going to do that again in a hurry. No-one is perfect after all, and the main thing to be grateful for is that you're alive and no-one else was hurt or killed, except possibly the dog.

Nope....Dog is alive...and I found out who's it was. :nope:

Damn neighbors not keeping the thing penned at night.

I must admit, that's one of the things that always terrified me when driving, and I think it was my biggest holdback when I was learning to drive and probably one of the reasons I never finished it, I was acutely aware the entire time I was driving that I was driving something that could very easily kill me and a whole slew of people around me if I just had a moments lapse of judgement or concentration. Never liked going at dual carriageway speed, despite my instructors constant prompt of "More Gas", and never liked power steering, still don't, far too twitchy, too easy to overcontrol.

I've always been scared of wrecking....not because I would get hurt...but because I could kill somebody else.

When I first started driving, it scared me to know that everybody on the road's well being is partly my responsibility. I could end them...they could end me....

[Wolferz]

Where do you live Red?
The Ozark mountains or closer to St Louis?
I can relate to your loss of control after swerving to miss the animal. My one catastrophic wreck was in a 3/4 ton Ford pickup truck on a very narrow road with ditches on both sides and asphault built up high enough to create a severe drop off that the highway tires couldn't handle when I was run off the road by a garbage truck. Once the right front slipped off that lip, it sucked me into the ditch in a heartbeat.:huh: I slammed on the binders. But it was too late. I hit a driveway with a culvert under it. The truck went airborne and came down on the recently removed right front wheel assembly in the area of the passenger side floor board. This action launched the Skil 736 rotohammer drill I had stored there and I found myself staring at the drill bit before gravity pulled it back down to stick in the seat inches from my leg. By the time I got stopped, I was into the ditch embankment on the far side of the driveway far enough to pull a car into the driveway behind the truck. I found the right front wheel assembly standing vertical under the tailpipe. I wasn't injured except for a hickie on both knees. The driver of the garbage truck never stopped.:-?
Thank goodness the company I worked for finally got some new trucks and did away with the highway tires. I hated those things. No grip on a wet road and they would involuntarily steer you through every contour in a road surface. Not to mention drag you into a ditch. I was nineteen at the time and learned a very important lesson about tires.

I learned another lesson not long after when I mixed three radial tires with one bias belted spare tire on my '72 Dodge Charger because of a flat. The car felt like a shark swimming down the road. I replaced the suspect baloney ASAP!

[swamprat69er]

In the March of 1968, I was going to my girlfriends house along a gravel road. Just about sunset. I was going way too fast for conditions, way over the speed limit (80 mph in a 50), when I topped a rise in the road and there in the middle of the road was a dump truck. Facing the same way I was. Well, I hit that sucker right square in the rear and drove him into a tree. The front bumper was at the firewall and the 283 cu in motor was in the front seat with me. 1964 Pontiac Strato Chief. The car I bought just ten days prior was totaled.:wah: I kicked out the back window to get out. I was fine, bruised my knees where they hit the steel dash. (No seatbelts then). When the cop got there he didn't believe I was the driver of the car. I got charged with careless driving and with the help of a lawyer pleaded guilty to following too close. Lesson learned? Don't be running so fast on gravel roads. My age at the time? 22 Old enough to know better. I had been driving legally since I was 16 and on the farm at 13.

[Red October1984]

Where do you live Red?
The Ozark mountains or closer to St Louis?

On the Southeast edge of the Ozarks.

Back to my original post then cold tyres(tnx Oberon!), cold road bed, and coming off the hill at speed just enough( like NASA weightless flights) to lower the already lowered road tyre grip. Were not pickin' on you we just like having you around..A lot! and at least four of us on this thread are professionals with 40 years and 3-5 million miles, as in my case. I would look at wreck slide(as your PIC) shows at the company-paid steak dinner in Ft Scott KS that spared no detail (a real bon appetit appetizer!) and I was the salvage driver who went forth to make final arrangements and bring back the remains of any trailer and freight. A young man with around 1 year of driving is like a private pilot with 100 hrs time-a very dangerous period to get through( John Kennedy Jr.). And I'll wager you'll be discussing this with your offspring before you know it! And your youngster, age 16, with a learner's permit who knows it all?!:owill ask..."Why are you laughing Daddy?" and it will be because of this conversation...which you are now imparting...with considerable emphasis...unto the generations!:D

I am not even going to try to read this.

In the March of 1968, I was going to my girlfriends house along a gravel road. Just about sunset. I was going way too fast for conditions, way over the speed limit (80 mph in a 50), when I topped a rise in the road and there in the middle of the road was a dump truck. Facing the same way I was. Well, I hit that sucker right square in the rear and drove him into a tree. The front bumper was at the firewall and the 283 cu in motor was in the front seat with me. 1964 Pontiac Strato Chief. The car I bought just ten days prior was totaled.:wah: I kicked out the back window to get out. I was fine, bruised my knees where they hit the steel dash. (No seatbelts then). When the cop got there he didn't believe I was the driver of the car. I got charged with careless driving and with the help of a lawyer pleaded guilty to following too close. Lesson learned? Don't be running so fast on gravel roads. My age at the time? 22 Old enough to know better. I had been driving legally since I was 16 and on the farm at 13.

I've slid on gravel roads before. I did it once when first starting to drive. Never will I exceed 30 MPH on a gravel road.

Glad you came out okay. :rock:

[swamprat69er]

To this day I can still see that hood folding up towards me in slow motion.

[Tribesman]

It wasn't a tire issue...I just swerved too hard for the speed I was going.

Ever heard of traction?
Do you know what those four round things which normally connect your car to the road provide?
You have already been shown that one of your 4 round things doesn't provide the same force as the other 3 do.
Do you understand what unequal force does to stability?

[Wolferz]

Ever heard of traction?
Do you know what those four round things which normally connect your car to the road provide?
You have already been shown that one of your 4 round things doesn't provide the same force as the other 3 do.
Do you understand what unequal force does to stability?

Maybe after he has a few classes under his belt in physics 101:03:
I don't think they cover Newtonian mechanics too much in a high school science class.

Still, it's a fairly simple concept... that an object in motion tends to stay in motion until acted on by an outside force. In this case friction.

At least you will be familiar with the mechanics of a barrel roll now Red.

[Oberon]

I am not even going to try to read this.


http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/55947000/jpg/_55947230_wallace2.jpg

"For the benefit of the uneducated among us, I shall translate..."

He (being or have been a police officer or involved within the US law service) was at a dinner with other gentlemen of his profession where road traffic accident photographic slides were displayed, which would put anyone off their dinner. He was the driver who had to go and pick up the salvage or freight. He makes the point (which is true) that the first year or two of driving is the most dangerous, as it is with most vehicle professions (with pilots it's the first 100 hours, or 17.5 minutes if you're in April 1917). When you're a father you'll probably also have a conversation with your children when they have an accident.
Long and short, you're young, you've learnt a lesson and lived.

I think anyway, my Aktungbby to English translator sometimes goes on the fritz.

[Oberon]

Maybe after he has a few classes under his belt in physics 101:03:
I don't think they cover Newtonian mechanics too much in a high school science class.

More examples of the decline of the American education system. :O: :03:

[Red October1984]

Ever heard of traction?
Do you know what those four round things which normally connect your car to the road provide?
You have already been shown that one of your 4 round things doesn't provide the same force as the other 3 do.
Do you understand what unequal force does to stability?

Yes I understand. I'm not a complete idiot.

Maybe after he has a few classes under his belt in physics 101:03:
I don't think they cover Newtonian mechanics too much in a high school science class.

Still, it's a fairly simple concept... that an object in motion tends to stay in motion until acted on by an outside force. In this case friction.

At least you will be familiar with the mechanics of a barrel roll now Red.

More examples of the decline of the American education system. :O: :03:


I'd rather NOT have my intelligence insulted in the thread about me almost dying.

[Oberon]

I'd rather NOT have my intelligence insulted in the thread about me almost dying.

It was a joke, on my behalf anyway. Hence the :03: and :O:

[Wolferz]

Yes I understand. I'm not a complete idiot.






I'd rather NOT have my intelligence insulted in the thread about me almost dying.

Revealed your opinion is, young padawan.
You'll be laughing this incident off soon enough.:arrgh!:

Be glad you didn't have an active light saber at the time. Cut off your nose to spite your face you would.:cool:

Now that you've become acquainted with your own mortality, I'm sure you will take extra care in the future.:salute:

With age comes knowledge.
With knowledge comes wisdom.
All of us go through the young, dumb and not very wise phase. Try not to take exception to the barbs. That's called paying your dues.:yep:

Remember...
Insult can't be given unless taken.

[Madox58]

A little bit of knowledge for you.
More people are killed swerving to avoid hitting Bambi then are killed by hitting Bambi!
Bottom line? NEVER swerve to avoid an animal in the road!
:yep:

[Schroeder]

A little bit of knowledge for you.
More people are killed swerving to avoid hitting Bambi then are killed by hitting Bambi!
Bottom line? NEVER swerve to avoid an animal in the road!
:yep:
Actually over here they teach you to not avoid animals up to cat size. If it's bigger it's better to avoid because deer and similar sized animals can go through your wind shield when hit and that isn't nice...especially if they survive and try to get out of your vehicle in panic mode while lying on you.:dead:

[Wolferz]

I hit Smokey down in Tennessee. Drove right over the top of him, but, I was driving a Semi at the time. No way was I going to attempt an avoidance swerve with 40 tons under my arse.:huh: He was coming, I was coming, he didn't chicken out. :dead: Stoopid bear.:stare:

Maybe you should have hit the dog, Red. It would have solved two problems.
I've run the roads down your way. Literally. They're like roller coasters.

[Buddahaid]

Actually over here they teach you to not avoid animals up to cat size. If it's bigger it's better to avoid because deer and similar sized animals can go through your wind shield when hit and that isn't nice...especially if they survive and try to get out of your vehicle in panic mode while lying on you.:dead:

Swerving it a pretty instinctual reaction when surprised so don't feel bad about it.

This swerving for animals story reminded me of a story from a coworker. Many years ago he owned a TR3 and had a deer run through the car from the right door and out the left. What was more amazing he had the hood up at the time but without the side curtains fitted. :o

[Red October1984]

I hit Smokey down in Tennessee. Drove right over the top of him, but, I was driving a Semi at the time. No way was I going to attempt an avoidance swerve with 40 tons under my arse.:huh: He was coming, I was coming, he didn't chicken out. :dead: Stoopid bear.:stare:

Maybe you should have hit the dog, Red. It would have solved two problems.
I've run the roads down your way. Literally. They're like roller coasters.

Even if I would've hit it....my car had basically a whole plastic front end.

It would've seriously damaged it and I probably would've gone off the right side at 50 MPH and sailed through the air into the trees.

Even if I was on the road, the engine would've been really damaged. The hood was metal but the very front was all plastic.

The road itself, yeah. Roller coaster...but no roller coaster on earth touches that car roll.

[Schroeder]

Even if I would've hit it....my car had basically a whole plastic front end.

It would've seriously damaged it and I probably would've gone off the right side at 50 MPH and sailed through the air into the trees.

Even if I was on the road, the engine would've been really damaged. The hood was metal but the very front was all plastic.

The road itself, yeah. Roller coaster...but no roller coaster on earth touches that car roll.
Don't underestimate the stability of the cars. The frames and bumpers are really tough by now and I don't think that the engine would have gotten any damage at all from hitting a dog.

[Red October1984]

Don't underestimate the stability of the cars. The frames and bumpers are really tough by now and I don't think that the engine would have gotten any damage at all from hitting a dog.

If i'm correct in who's dog it is, it's a pretty big dog. A mix between a Beagle and a Blue Heeler.

It had the chance of going through the windshield too.

[Madox58]

Better to smash the front in on a Deer/Dog then a tree.
The stories of Deer kicking people are overstated compared to t5he numbers dead hitting a tree when swerveing.

[Tribesman]

A little bit of knowledge for you.
More people are killed swerving to avoid hitting Bambi then are killed by hitting Bambi!
Bottom line? NEVER swerve to avoid an animal in the road!
:yep:
It took a lot of time to drill that into the wife, being foreign she just wasn't used to farm dogs chasing cars.
Then again, when a horse came through the front of the car she didn't even have a chance to react.

[swamprat69er]

The only exception to that is a Moose. What usually happens is that your small car will take out it legs and it crashes through your windshield and lands on your lap, killing you.

[swamprat69er]

aint nothin' to tanker doubles...'B' train that is. I did haul 'A' train (wiggle wagons) tanks a few times. Don't like them much. Have never hauled swinging beef. I have passed a few young fellas in Northern Ontario that were hauling swinging beef out of Alberta, me with loaded tanks. It is all a matter of knowing your load, the truck and your own capabilities. Knowing the road helps, too.

[swamprat69er]

How did you know I was a Glenn Miller fan?:yeah:

[Red October1984]

In the Ozarks??!! thet's "done slid" ol' son n' ya betta be a' toppin' 30 as the rev'nu'rs 'll git ya' runnin' yo daddy's still-hooch outta' them-thar hills in yo sup'd up ol' Chevy short block wid da' bigass trunk.:Dbet ya kin sho' 'nuff read that!:D

:shifty: I can read your posts but I have no desire to anymore.

Yes I live in the Ozarks...and I used to have a big ass trunk on that car.

Now it doesn't matter. So please, either be serious or quit. :yep:

[Lionclaw]

Ouch, looked like a nasty accident. :o

Nice that you came out of it relatively unscathed. :)

[Herr-Berbunch]

Right, we're all glad Red's OK, and we've all told him what should or shouldn't have happened now let's leave it at that and move on.

[BrucePartington]

Insult can't be given unless taken.
:03:

[BrucePartington]

Right, we're all glad Red's OK, and we've all told him what should or shouldn't have happened now let's leave it at that and move on.
Totally subscribe, I was thinking the same when arrived at this post ( :hmm2: this didn't sound right).

:Kaleun_Cheers: Here's to Red coming out OK.

[kranz]

Right, we're all glad Red's OK, and we've all told him what should or shouldn't have happened now let's leave it at that and move on.
I'm disappointed. I was hoping to hear Professor Tribesman's lecture on 'force, unequal force, traction and the role of four rubber donuts around the rims'.
:nope:

[Tango589]

I'm disappointed. I was hoping to hear Professor Tribesman's lecture on 'force, unequal force, traction and the role of four rubber donuts around the rims'.
:nope:

That's only on pay-per-view i'm afraid. All subscriptions made out to the TDF (Tango589 Drinking Fund).:yeah:

[Wolferz]

Have you heard his treatise on vulcanized rubber and the contact patch?:D

[Oberon]

I hear that he and Steve do a joint lecture on Rotational Debate.

[TarJak]

I hear that he and Steve do a joint lecture on Rotational Debate.

http://media.moddb.com/cache/images/members/1/280/279096/thumb_620x2000/OMG_IT_SPINS.jpg

[Wolferz]

That's the same expression Red had as he went wheels over head.:O:

[Red October1984]

Well I sit to start on the work I have to make up....

All of my pencils broke in the wreck.

I have no sharpener...

ONE FINAL MIDDLE FINGER, EH? LIFE? :/\\!!

[Buddahaid]

I'm curious, and seriously. Did the shakes settle in a few ours later? I was a hostage in a hold up years ago and it hit me about three ours after the event. I was ice cool through it all and a bit amazed, and relieved, that I kept my head in a life threatening situation, but three hours later when very much out of danger I started shaking. I wouldn't want to repeat it, but I'm intrigued because it was clearly a physical delayed reaction to the stress.

[Wolferz]

Well I sit to start on the work I have to make up....

All of my pencils broke in the wreck.

I have no sharpener...

ONE FINAL MIDDLE FINGER, EH? LIFE? :/\\!!

Count your blessings not your sorrows my friend.:know:

[swamprat69er]

All of my pencils broke in the wreck.

I have no sharpener...


You got a knife, you got a pencil sharpener.

[Red October1984]

You got a knife, you got a pencil sharpener.

That's what I ended up doing. :up:

[Jimbuna]

That's what I ended up doing. :up:

No good having a pencil if it doesn't have a tip on it :03:

[TarJak]

Drink Guinness. It puts lead in your pencil. ;)

[Wolferz]

Drink Guinness. It puts lead in your pencil. ;)



Are you sure? It usually puts my foot in my mouth.:88)

[TarJak]

Only if you drink and talk to excess.

[swamprat69er]

Are you sure? It usually puts my foot in my mouth.:88)

Even a fish wouldn't get into trouble IF it kept its' mouth shut.:D

[Wolferz]

Even a fish wouldn't get into trouble IF it kept its' mouth shut.:D
Alcohol tends to pry the lips apart.:haha:

[Betonov]

That's why I stopped drinking. Now everybody hates me because I know all their secrets and none knows mine :D