The disadvantage to having a little car

[fbhjr]

Today I was driving in to work on 495. I was in the middle lane doing the
speed limit. In the low speed lane was a large truck that had a small fire
department pickup truck following it.
In front of me was another pickup truck and behind me another big truck.
In the high speed lane was yet another pickup truck coming up on me fast.

As I was going past the fire department pickup truck in the slow lane, it
started coming into my lane. There were trucks all around me so I could do
nothing to get out of its way without hitting another truck.
I honked my horn. It kept coming.
I moved over as much as I could in my lane so I was almost touching the guy
in the high speed lane and started honking my horn over and over.
Finally the guy looked over at me and moved back into his lane. It was
fairly clear he never saw me at all in that lane. He had seen all the
trucks, but not my little car and thought he could just move into that
“empty” space.
If my car had been any wider at all he would have hit me.

I understand there was a major fire in Boston yesterday and two
firefighters died. So, I’m sure there was a lot on that guys mind. I’m
sure there is a lot on the mind of every firefighter and their families
today.
But, don’t change lanes without looking. And, it shouldn’t take half a
dozen or more honks of a horn to get your attention.

Comments

[m-danson.livejournal.com]

A few years back, I was in the turn lane at a red light with a curb on one side, cars on two sides and a big Ford truck in front of me trying to make the turn. He couldn't so he decided to back up... into my car. I hammered the horn repeatedly as I saw his brake lights coming for me but he didn't stop until his bumper hit mine.

He had no idea why I was upset because the only damage was to my licence plate. It did not occur to him that he had scared me shitless or that that was anything to be upset about.

I'm not fond of people driving big vehicles.

Although, 18 wheeler trucks seem to be more careful than the average. I think it's the training.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

I was once backed into by a truck in a very similar way. He was trying to get out of a parallel parking spot and just kept going back until he had enough space.
Sadly that was some time after he hit my front bumper.

Most of the accidents I've been in have been with bigger vehicles. SUVs, pickup trucks and vans have all whacked me over the last 34 years I've been driving.
Only once was it a regular car. And it was a young woman who hadn't been driving long and misjudged how long it took her car to stop.
All the others were bigger cars that either didn't look where they were going or didn't care.

[malterre.livejournal.com]

Glad you are okay!

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

Me too!

[evrgreen.livejournal.com]

Yes, it is a bit unnerving - at least your car is not grey or black, which tends to make it even less noticeable. (though with all the salt still on the roads, many cars are still ash-grey this time of year).

Multiply your experience by a factor of 4X and you'll know what it is like to ride a motorcycle in heavy traffic - hardly anyone sees you! I do agree that the big rig drivers NORMALLY are much more alert than most car/SUV drivers, but sometimes they've had too little sleep and not enough caffeine..

[cosmicirony.livejournal.com]

I always try to give motorcycles plenty of room. The thought of hitting someone as vulnerable as a motorcyclist gives me nightmares.

[m-danson.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah. And I'm glad you are okay.

It's still morning. I'm not very human yet.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

No worries. I took your first response as an indication of concern.

[m-danson.livejournal.com]

Oh good.

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

Egads.

Glad you are OK.

I could sort-of-maybe-see where this guy couldn't hear your horn or realize you were 'talking' to him.
But it doesn't excuse not paying attention to what's going on around [him].
having a "365 head" is something my driving instructor-teacher from HS hammered into me.

[hindustar.livejournal.com]

Very scary. I am glad you didn't get injured. And people think I am crazy for not wanting to drive. lol.

[hotclaws.livejournal.com]

As a push bike rider,I know the feeling.Large vehicles now have to have mirrors on the wings that show what it beside and beneath them now in the UK because of this.

[newlifeinstpaul.livejournal.com]

I think that's why small cars come in SuperDouchey colors.
That's a safety feature!

Glad you didn't get hit.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

My car is aqua and it didn't seem to help...

[newlifeinstpaul.livejournal.com]

You need Traffic Pole Yellow or that super-annoying Ford Fiesta M&M Green.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

Ug. I hope that isn't what it takes not to be run over...

[m-danson.livejournal.com]

Or neon green! I knew I dyed my hair that colour for a reason that wasn't Saint Drunks Day.

[cosmicirony.livejournal.com]

I had a neon lime green Subaru that was hit on 3 sides (three separate events, too).
Now, my orange Jeep scared the crap out of people!

[cissa.livejournal.com]

I never saw that Jeep, but I understand it was painted by you, probably badly. So, yeah. :D

The dented-up neon green Subaru was a great help when i was learning to drive in MA traffic, though! Especially when I wore mirrorshades. I looked like I had nothing to lose.

[ravena-kade.livejournal.com]

So glad to read that you and your car are safe.

[brickhousewench.livejournal.com]

Egads! I hate it when that happens!

Glad you and your car are OK!

[tatjna.livejournal.com]

One of the frustrating things about the surge in the use of SUVs is the way they dwarf normal cars on the road and make them invisible. And then we're told we should get an SUV to be safer and more visible, and I'm like "Wait, my car was fine till everyone else bought an SUV!"

The logical conclusion to this, of course, is that we will eventually all be driving these:



(my kayak has a flag on top for visibility, it's fluoro yellow)

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

Somehow I think my fuel economy would suffer...

[endlessblush.livejournal.com]

the world would be a better place if people were more courteous when driving

[chaquir.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah I do know that feeling!! I had something similar happening to me also years ago. You feel SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO small at that point!!!