Driving Adventure
I got my first real opportunity to test the brakes on my car. I was traveling with the flow of traffic, around 75 mph, when I came over the crest of a hill and was greeted by a red river of brake lights. The big SUV in front of me didn't stand a chance of stopping in time and I wasn't too sure about myself.
I hit the brakes hard and could feel the tires gripping the road and the rapid, smooth and quiet deceleration. Worried about the car in my rear view mirror, I eased up on the brakes to give him more time to stop. It's nice to know how little distance I need to stop my car if necessary.
The SUV in front swerved into the emergency lane, fish-tailed some and with tires squealing, came to a stop alongside the car that had been in front of her. Other people weren't as lucky. There were several cars alongside the freeway that had been rear-ended. There were also an unusual number of blonde women standing by the cars. But considering that I live in the land of the tall blondes, maybe it wasn't unexpected that there would be so many.
The cause of all of the little accidents was a big accident, with more blonde girls and women walking around. Too bad I didn't get any pictures.
It may sound strange, but yesterday when the garage door opener fell in my lap, I was more shaken. I'm more afraid of creepy-crawlers than freeway crashes.
Written by Melissa on 12:29 AM
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Melissa blogging from sunny Santa Clarita, Southern California, United States.
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12 Comments:
Glad to hear you survived OK. Which freeway were you on? I've noticed that all the freeways down there start with "The". Traffic reports are always "the 405" "the 101", etc. The folks up here don't use "the". Just a minor cultural observation.
I am very cautious on the freeways here, but I'm the same way as you.
I actuall dont mind heavy traffic at all as long as it keeps moving well.
By the way, I don't think I've ever told you this, but I think your hair looks great.
Alan, I was on the 14 coming down the Newhall pass, right before it merges with the 5. The accident was on the overpass that collapses every time there is a major earthquake. How can you say a name or number without preceding it with a the? :)
Gary, I hate heavy traffic which is a major reason why I work evenings, that and not being a morning person. Rush hour is hell here.
Thanks for the complement you sweet talker. :)
After living in such a small provinical city, i don't think i could ever drive in major city traffic again! Glad you were able to stop in time :o)
Glad everything turned out ok.
And there's no point in being afraid of the garage door opener ;-)
Yikes!!!! Glad you are ok.
I remember that area quite well on the many trips between Burbank Airport and Edwards AFB.
Around here they just say "405 is slow at..." or "There's a blocking accident on 520 at...", etc.
Using "the" before the number just seemed to be a California thing. On the flip side, maybe not using "the" is a Washington thing.
Michelle, it must be pure heaven to live where you do.
Karen, lol, garage door openers are pretty scary. I may need therapy.
Madwag, driving around on narrow lanes, like I imagine you must do, must get pretty hairy too.
Alan, you've driven by my house on all of those occasions and never stopped to say hi.
When we moved from SoCal to NorCal we had to learn to drop the the from freeway titles. If you say "I took the 101 to the 5" in the Bay Area, they know you're from LA. You need to say, "I took 101 to 5." Funny. :)
Dave, that's just not natural.
Yeah, but you don't say, "Take the Sunset to the PCH and turn left!" :)
Of course not, silly, those aren't freeways. Only freeways get a the before the name. :)
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