As I’m merging onto the freeway, I see flashing lights and 2 big rigs on the shoulder behind me. I tune to the local traffic/news station, and hear about several accidents all over the Bay Area, including one just before where I normally get on the freeway to o home.
Halfway home, I pass a couple of crunched cars, an ambulance, a fire truck, and 2 highway patrol cars in the left lane. One of the crunched cars looks to be ON the center divide. Going past the scene, I see a couple of tow trucks on the oter side making thier way towards the accident. I was expecting this, as it too had just been in the traffic report to which I was listening.
About 200 meters from my exit, I see what looks like 2 lighthouse beams sweep across my field of vision as the vehicle in front of me hydroplanes out of control. When the driver recovers, he is facing the wrong direction, and looks to be headed right for me.
I pull off to the shoulder, (I was in no real danger – I’m paying attention to what’s oing on around me, and have left plenty of space between us since the roads are wet.) and dial 911 on my cell.
[Quote]
“If this is an emergency, please press or say ‘one’ now”says “One”
“California CHP, what is your emergency”“Hi, I’m reporting a solo spin-out on westbound 580, just before Estudillo Ave. in San Leandro…”
notices the car that had just spun out is now passing him in the correct direction with his hazard lights on.
“It looks like the driver has recoverd and has just passed me.”“You’re reporting a spinout on 580 westbound. The driver looks to have recovered now, is he driving erratically?”
“No, I think he just lost control in the rain.”
“And he’s okay now?”
“Yes – he just exited the freeway. Sorry to have bothered you, the danger’s over.”
“That’s quite alright, you were reporting something as it happened. Let’s be glad no one was hurt, and that everything’s okay now.”
“Thanks. Good night.”
“Thank you, drive safely.”
[Quote]
I pull back onto the road and take my exit. The rest of the drive home is on surface streets and is uneventful.
The moral of the story is: When it’s raining and the roads are wet, slow the **** down, and make sure to leave plenty of room between you and the car infront of you.
—
I’m paraphrasing the conversation with the dispatcher, but you get the idea.
neds his speel checkur
Edited on Dec 10th 2003, 09:03 by Hooloovoo
I would have to second that, having been in a rainy accident very recently myself and smashing up Sarah’s car. Even if you are being overly carefull you probably aren’t being carefull enough. No injuries luckily, the other couple had sore necks.
It never ceases to amaze me how I can be driving 45 on the freeway in heavy rain, with limited visibility, and some a**H*** blows by me at 70. Several of them, usually. Grrr.