Don't Let That Tree Just Jump Right Out In Front of You – Expect the Unexpected
01-14-2016
Author: in RVing Ruminations by Russel
No matter how experienced or great a driver you are, sooner or later you are going to be confronted with the unexpected. How you handle it and the consequences you incur are in large part influenced by your awareness and your alertness. If you take driving less than seriously by doing things such as casually having one hand lightly resting on the bottom of your steering wheel or worse, talking or texting on the phone, it is almost assured that you are not prepared for some of the unexpected things that can pop up. (Part of the title to this post was the explanation an errant driver gave a judge in court.)
What kind of things am I talking about? A couple of examples:
I was coming north out of Los Angeles on I-5, the major north south highway on the west coast. It is a five mile climb going that direction but much less a long and steep climb than coming up “The Grapevine” as it is called, from the south. So being thankful the truck had easily pulled the trailer to the top, I relaxed a bit for the long downhill coast in second gear. Traffic was light and the road is three and four lanes wide. I was a couple of miles into it when I did not spot a pot hole in time to avoid it. This was “the mother of all potholes”, about a foot and a half in diameter and several inches deep. I was going about 45 miles per hour and hit it square on with my front right tire. I was swerving all over the road fighting to get control, which I finally managed to do. After I got my breath I reflected on how fortunate I was there was no other vehicles around and that the road was not wet. One would not expect such an obstacle to exist on such a major freeway but none-the-less it was there and it jumped right out in front of me. If it can happen one of the best roads, then it can certainly happen on any road. Many times there will be signs warning of “Rocks in Road” or “Watch for Wildlife.” Those signs are best heeded by slowing down and increasing vigilance of the road ahead. If a deer and your grill should meet, neither is likely to fare very well.
Another time I was in Nevada going down a very long hill and near the bottom was the left turn off to a rock art site that I intended to visit. It was a two lane road. I spotted the turn well in advance and turned on my turn signal as soon as I saw it and began slowing down. (I know my signal was working because I am in the habit of checking them every morning before I leave.) Then seconds before I would have begun to turn, a last glace in my driver's side rear view mirror revealed a pickup truck going full tilt boogie to pass me. That last glance in the mirror saved a lot of mayhem that day between me and that pickup that just popped up behind me. Obviously, awareness, as well as of what's in front of you should include what is behind. I have just gotten in the habit of checking all my mirrors twice before committing to any move.
One more war story; especially since some may still be driving in snowy conditions. I try to avoid it but often times late in the year in order to get home to central Oregon I needed to cross the Cascade Mountains. And sometimes that meant driving in the snow. With four wheel drive and good tires with chains if I needed them, it wasn't really a problem. I had slowly made it to the summit and it was snowing hard with several inches packed on the road, but I knew it would be only a few more miles and the road would be clear. So I had just gotten my speed back up to about 35 mph when I rounded a curve and there was a semi-truck going about 10 mph. It was touch and go for a bit but I somehow managed to get slowed down enough to avoid a collision. Yep, that semi just popped up out of nowhere.
So to recap our arsenal of how to expect the unexpected. Maintain alert driving habits. (I am reminded of what the Sherpas on narrow trails high in the Himalayas advise, “When you walk, walk. When you look, look. Don't mix the two, because it is a very long way down.” Maintain awareness of what the other traffic is on the road with you. Be courteous, it will pay off in the long run. Don't drive while sleepy—you have an RV, pull over and take a nap. Drive at speeds that fit road conditions—most of the time this means slow down. Know how your rig handles in emergency stop situations. Avoid tailgating; almost any RV set up will take much further to stop than a passenger car. Pay attention to all warning signs, particularly ones like Deer Crossing—the sign is for you, not them. This video about deer crossing is hilarious! Make sure your mirrors are all positioned to provide the maximum amount of vision. (I have found those smaller ones that attach to the bigger ones invaluable for being able to see my “blind spot”. ) Most rigs have such blind spots, so consider where that of others' are too. Many large trucks will have stickers reminding you of where that is. Make sure brakes and tires are in good order.
I've tried to cover some of the most obvious situations and solutions here. I am sure that everyone has their own stories about things that “just popped up in front of them” so why not share them in the comments section below. Your ideas and comments about how to habitually avoid such things would also help others who read them here.
So until next time, walk in beauty and keep it between the ditches,
Russel
Though from my travels I have come to roost
I hope my experiences will give yours a boost
About the Blog Author
Russel Micnhimer is retired after twenty-five years of full time RVing. During that time he was a sales representative for Southeast Publications selling advertising on Site Maps (aka Guest Guides) for RV Parks and Resorts and Fairgrounds. He traveled in a pickup truck and travel trailer primarily in the Western United States logging nearly 500,000 miles. In his blog he shares many experiences and insights in hopes they will be helpful to others who pursue the RVing lifestyle.
What kind of things am I talking about? A couple of examples:
I was coming north out of Los Angeles on I-5, the major north south highway on the west coast. It is a five mile climb going that direction but much less a long and steep climb than coming up “The Grapevine” as it is called, from the south. So being thankful the truck had easily pulled the trailer to the top, I relaxed a bit for the long downhill coast in second gear. Traffic was light and the road is three and four lanes wide. I was a couple of miles into it when I did not spot a pot hole in time to avoid it. This was “the mother of all potholes”, about a foot and a half in diameter and several inches deep. I was going about 45 miles per hour and hit it square on with my front right tire. I was swerving all over the road fighting to get control, which I finally managed to do. After I got my breath I reflected on how fortunate I was there was no other vehicles around and that the road was not wet. One would not expect such an obstacle to exist on such a major freeway but none-the-less it was there and it jumped right out in front of me. If it can happen one of the best roads, then it can certainly happen on any road. Many times there will be signs warning of “Rocks in Road” or “Watch for Wildlife.” Those signs are best heeded by slowing down and increasing vigilance of the road ahead. If a deer and your grill should meet, neither is likely to fare very well.
Another time I was in Nevada going down a very long hill and near the bottom was the left turn off to a rock art site that I intended to visit. It was a two lane road. I spotted the turn well in advance and turned on my turn signal as soon as I saw it and began slowing down. (I know my signal was working because I am in the habit of checking them every morning before I leave.) Then seconds before I would have begun to turn, a last glace in my driver's side rear view mirror revealed a pickup truck going full tilt boogie to pass me. That last glance in the mirror saved a lot of mayhem that day between me and that pickup that just popped up behind me. Obviously, awareness, as well as of what's in front of you should include what is behind. I have just gotten in the habit of checking all my mirrors twice before committing to any move.
One more war story; especially since some may still be driving in snowy conditions. I try to avoid it but often times late in the year in order to get home to central Oregon I needed to cross the Cascade Mountains. And sometimes that meant driving in the snow. With four wheel drive and good tires with chains if I needed them, it wasn't really a problem. I had slowly made it to the summit and it was snowing hard with several inches packed on the road, but I knew it would be only a few more miles and the road would be clear. So I had just gotten my speed back up to about 35 mph when I rounded a curve and there was a semi-truck going about 10 mph. It was touch and go for a bit but I somehow managed to get slowed down enough to avoid a collision. Yep, that semi just popped up out of nowhere.
So to recap our arsenal of how to expect the unexpected. Maintain alert driving habits. (I am reminded of what the Sherpas on narrow trails high in the Himalayas advise, “When you walk, walk. When you look, look. Don't mix the two, because it is a very long way down.” Maintain awareness of what the other traffic is on the road with you. Be courteous, it will pay off in the long run. Don't drive while sleepy—you have an RV, pull over and take a nap. Drive at speeds that fit road conditions—most of the time this means slow down. Know how your rig handles in emergency stop situations. Avoid tailgating; almost any RV set up will take much further to stop than a passenger car. Pay attention to all warning signs, particularly ones like Deer Crossing—the sign is for you, not them. This video about deer crossing is hilarious! Make sure your mirrors are all positioned to provide the maximum amount of vision. (I have found those smaller ones that attach to the bigger ones invaluable for being able to see my “blind spot”. ) Most rigs have such blind spots, so consider where that of others' are too. Many large trucks will have stickers reminding you of where that is. Make sure brakes and tires are in good order.
I've tried to cover some of the most obvious situations and solutions here. I am sure that everyone has their own stories about things that “just popped up in front of them” so why not share them in the comments section below. Your ideas and comments about how to habitually avoid such things would also help others who read them here.
So until next time, walk in beauty and keep it between the ditches,
Russel
Though from my travels I have come to roost
I hope my experiences will give yours a boost
About the Blog Author
Russel Micnhimer is retired after twenty-five years of full time RVing. During that time he was a sales representative for Southeast Publications selling advertising on Site Maps (aka Guest Guides) for RV Parks and Resorts and Fairgrounds. He traveled in a pickup truck and travel trailer primarily in the Western United States logging nearly 500,000 miles. In his blog he shares many experiences and insights in hopes they will be helpful to others who pursue the RVing lifestyle.
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Author: Russel Micnhimer
