On the crash report form, following the words, “Fatality Involved”, the responding Highway Patrol Officer checked the box, “No”.
Peripheral vision to the right side showed a flash of a small, silver car proceeding directly into my path at a ninety degree angle: at 55 MPH there’s not a lot of time to make a decision. Two events must not be allowed to happen; strike the car directly in the driver’s door, or cross the center line into oncoming traffic.
Because I was in the right lane, there was a slight window of opportunity; a very sharp veer to the left to avoid direct impact followed immediately by a veer back to the right to keep from crossing the center line. It worked.
There was an impact causing a sudden spin to the right and a hundred-foot slide sideways down the highway, then backwards, then to a stop. Upright. No injuries in either vehicle.
Some would call this sort of thing bad luck. I called it a little bad luck with a whole big bunch of good luck! I’ll take that kind any day!
Montana Outdoors 
:O
I’m so glad to hear you are okay. What a frightening experience it must have been for you. You did a fine job of proactive defensive driving. I’m just so happy for you, for your family, for the other driver…all’s well that ends well.
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Comment by Tabbie — August 29, 2008 @ 8:24 pm
Thanks, Tabbie!
I was just happy that circumstances gave me a little bit of control, and this is now the third time in my lifetime I’ve been lucky enough to use a similar maneuver to avoid an accident. Actually each winter after the first good snow I take the Jeep out to a back-road remote area and practice slides both the the right and to the left, but of course that’s not something that can be practiced on dry blacktop roads.
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Comment by montucky — August 29, 2008 @ 8:44 pm
Holy sh**. I’m so glad you’re okay. Sounds like you saved the other person’s life, too.
So glad.
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Comment by Patia — August 29, 2008 @ 10:41 pm
Oh my God! I’m so glad you’re okay!! It does sound as though you saved the other driver’s life as well.
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Comment by Sara — August 29, 2008 @ 11:43 pm
Patia and Sara,
Thanks for your concern. Defensive driving and practiced skills really pay off as they did in this case, and made a difference where there was at least a opportunity. I guess it also illustrates how little control we actually have at times, too. A minor problem and a major problem were separated by only about one second.
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Comment by montucky — August 30, 2008 @ 8:16 am
“Whew”. I bet that’s what you said when you stopped skidding.
I’m thrilled that you have marvelous reflexes. What would I do for my impressionist photo fix?
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Comment by Pinhole — August 30, 2008 @ 9:10 am
Thank God you are OK!
Sadly, no matter where we live, we all must drive defensively these days. It’s not a lot of fun for the driver cause you don’t get to see a lot of the beautiful scenery that this country has to offer. But, better to miss the scenery than to miss one’s life!
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Comment by Janet Wilkins — August 30, 2008 @ 9:45 am
what a blessing! glad you and the others involved are all okay!
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Comment by silken — August 30, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
That’s close to what I said, Pinhole. Actually it was kind of nice to look around and not see the long line waiting in front of the pearly gates.
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Comment by montucky — August 30, 2008 @ 4:08 pm
Janet,
Yes, I’m a big believer in defensive driving and have thoroughly trained myself and my family members in it. Every time I take my Goldwing out on the highway, within the first 10 miles I practice a veer technique similar to what I used there. It then becomes a reflex, and I see it also carries over to driving a Jeep!
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Comment by montucky — August 30, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
Silken,
Yes, that would have been a senseless loss of life. The other driver was seriously at risk, much more than I was. We were both very happy though to be completely uninjured.
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Comment by montucky — August 30, 2008 @ 4:13 pm
I have to ask: Was your car injured?
Thank goodness you weren’t.
Malcolm
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Comment by knightofswords — September 1, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
Just got back from a camping trip and ,… WHEW! I didn’t expect to find this when i tuned into your blog. I am so very glad that you as well as the other driver are ok. Having been in an accident several years ago i know that it can happen in the blink of an eye. I’m breathing a sigh of relief for you!
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Comment by Cedar — September 1, 2008 @ 3:29 pm
Malcolm,
A little damage to the right side where the other car hit the step and the rear wheel, and a crease on the left side just ahead of the door where I hit a road sign. Have to have the suspension checked though after sliding sideways onto a median. All quite minor under the circumstances.
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Comment by montucky — September 1, 2008 @ 7:50 pm
Thanks, Cedar. Yes, they happen quickly! If there has to be one, it’s good to be like this one was!
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Comment by montucky — September 1, 2008 @ 7:51 pm