On the side of the road - RUN AWAY !

[Hondo]

Keep your eyes peeled when you are on the side of the road (for whatever reason) -



 

[B83550nighthawk]

I worked as a tow truck driver in the Bay Area in California, I don't even want to think about how many close calls I had while trying to help someone out... it's almost like the people steer wherever they are looking, right towards you!

[hppants]

During our driver safety course, we tell anyone that uses our vehicle that, in the event of a need to pull over roadside, everyone is required to remain in the vehicle with their seat belt fastened.  If even remotely possible, limp the vehicle to the next exit and get off the roadway.

[gammer]

it's almost like the people steer wherever they are looking, right towards you!

You don't know how accurate and true this statement is. You do steer towards what you are looking at!

This is why they always say when turning a corner, never to look into the corner...heads up and look where you want to go.

[Bumblebee]

Sheesh.
Regardless of what I'm driving, whenever possible I get off the shoulder as far as possible even into the grass. I've been known to cross navigable runoff ditches and park on the other side with the motorcycle and 4WD vehicles. Every millimeter counts but even then sometimes you need kilometers...

[ariwhiteboy]

Man that was one scary video...just imagine how bad that would have been if the 18 wheeler had come from the opposite way!    They would have never seen it hit them until it was too late...

[cjbear11]

Holy crap! I would have needed a change of underwear, or two.

[Cherry Bomber]

I once had an 18 wheeler jack-knife beside me on the freeway while driving a cage in the rain. I was listening to a cb radio and heard someone call out "Jack-Knife" just about the same time as the tractor rammed the car in front of me out of the way and his trailer clobbered the car behind me, funny thing is that all I got out of it was rubber scuff mark on my back bumper from one of the trailers tires patting me on the butt to send me on my way, talk about need to change pants afterwards, you betcha!
Peace
Spike

[hockeyhawk]

Wow, what was that guy thinking, He was flying.

[gammer]

Every millimeter counts but even then sometimes you need kilometers...

Bee...I'm impressed. Metric references?

[bajakirch]

My wife used to drive a GMC Envoy that was struck by a semi. Thankfully it was slow-speed, but it totaled the car.

She was parked at a T-intersection waiting to turn left. A semi came from her right and turned her direction. Unfortunately it was a tight turn and he cut it short. The rear tires of his tractor cleared her car but the trailer crossed her hood and snagged on the driver's side A-post. Then the rear tractor tires caught the passenger side of her car and dragged her around 90-degrees before the driver realized what was happening and stopped.. Thanks to modern engineering the A-post held, as the trailer was literally inches from her head.

This was nearly 4 years ago, and she still avoids that intersection and gets nervous around semis.

Speaking as someone show spends a lot of time stopped on the roadside with lights a-flashing, I can say it's easily the most dangerous part of the job. You have to constantly be aware of what's going on behind you, as one misstep can result in injury or death. On busy streets or high-speed areas, I'll often make a passenger-side approach to avoid traffic altogether.