Close call...

[taz_rocks_miami]

It´s incredible that no one got killed. What is not clear on the video (at least to me) is where did the piece wood come from?

Take a look: Video: a very close shave - BBC Top Gear (http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/windscreen-smash-2011-04-05)

[Matra et Alpine]

If you look at left you can see it get run over by the trailer's left wheel and then flipped up !

OUCH.

[culver]

That's crazy! I guess it's good that the camera was running. If not the insurance company may never believe it!

[f6fhellcat13]

Why the hell was he filming!?

[drakkie]

Jeez! That reminds me a lot of my previous damage. Same situation, with a builders van in front of me kicking up a large piece of plywood in a tunnel. It hit me on the left front. I guess I was lucky, when I see this! I only needed to replace the bumper, headlight and fender. It cannot be said enough, please secure your loads properly!

[Ferrer]

Something very similar happened to me as well when we still had the BMW. A small metal bar (which I presume was one the road) got under the wheels of the van I was following and hit me, fortunately, on the left A-pillar. Quite a scary situation.

[Brix]

Why the hell was he filming!?
Because of the stupid trailer and truck blocking the highway!?

[taz_rocks_miami]

Why the hell was he filming!?

I thought the very same thing.

[LHamilton_w]

That would be genuinely scary if I was driving that car. ;)

[TVR IS KING]

Because of the stupid trailer and truck blocking the highway!?
Actually, that's a good guess. Correct sir. Apparently the driver of the struck car is a marketer, and intended to complain to the truck companies about how their drivers are blocking two lanes, poor conduct, etc. Someone dug up the full story. (http://jalopnik.com/#!5789082)

[IndianDrives]

This kind of accident is very to happen but can happen with anyone and no one can do anything about this as there is no ones fault. Only one advice Drive safely.

[Matra et Alpine]

^^ hmm advanced driving schools say you can avoid these things :)
( I know I was being told when doing bike advanced rider training with police trainers the many things I missed to do to ride safer )

In this case, pay attention to the road ahead.
Leave sufficient gap to see ahead of the lead vehicle of any possible dangers.
Leave sufficient gap to respond to potential dangers.
observe, obserce, observe.

Having said that though --- as I argued with an Edinburgh police rider on one of my 1-1 regarding a pot hole --- you cant possibly see something so small so far away. His response ? Well I did and that is down to training and observation. Lost the argument at that point, swallowed my pride and listened more closely to their advice :)

But in this case my view is still "shit happens" :(

[pimento]

Such observations skills are also good for when it's wet and there's a manhole cover in the middle of a bend.

[Matra et Alpine]

Such observations skills are also good for when it's wet and there's a manhole cover in the middle of a bend.
For sure on the bikes !!! ( damn I forgot I kept getting my helmet slapped for doing that too :) )
Aside, my first compeltely destroyed car was a MISSING manhole cover which front wheel "ditch hooked" in and spun me into a lampost. That I was "practising" and had it sideways through the roundabout at excessive speeds was perhaps a contribitory factor to me missing it :) Never told dad - it was his car - that bit :) :) SO yes, even old farts like me who "preach" safety and control on public roads was an idiot once ! Blue Hillman Avenger if you must know .... and 2 broken and 3 cracked ribs and a torn groin muscle and chest brusing after being knocked out .... taught me a lesson ( roll cage and full harness of course ... took me another 2 years before I learned to limit stupidity to track and rally stage )

[pimento]

There's a manhole cover on a bend between me and work.. when I want to remain dry on a rainey morning (motorbike is much dryer than pushbike or bus!) I have to watch out for it.

Unfortunately for people like us (that is, most of the board members here I imagine) it takes a loss of control to truely appreciate being within it. Hopefully only one loss, but yea.

[taz_rocks_miami]

^^ hmm advanced driving schools say you can avoid these things :)
( I know I was being told when doing bike advanced rider training with police trainers the many things I missed to do to ride safer )

In this case, pay attention to the road ahead.
Leave sufficient gap to see ahead of the lead vehicle of any possible dangers.
Leave sufficient gap to respond to potential dangers.
observe, obserce, observe.

That´s so true, you have to pay attension and look as far ahead as you can. And not texting of playing around with the smartphone, really helps too ;)


Having said that though --- as I argued with an Edinburgh police rider on one of my 1-1 regarding a pot hole --- you cant possibly see something so small so far away. His response ? Well I did and that is down to training and observation. Lost the argument at that point, swallowed my pride and listened more closely to their advice :)

Can´t win them all hehe.


But in this case my view is still "shit happens" :(

Agreed.

[ScionDriver]

That is scary stuff, it can be hard to avoid flying debris at 65+ mph, so it's always good to leave an extra gap. I've heard of this stuff happening before and I am paranoid of it happening to me. I can't imagine how scary that would be.

[taz_rocks_miami]

That is scary stuff, it can be hard to avoid flying debris at 65+ mph, so it's always good to leave an extra gap. I've heard of this stuff happening before and I am paranoid of it happening to me. I can't imagine how scary that would be.

The possiblity of it happening can be scary. But there is no sence in feeling paraniod about it. Driving in itself is full of risks, but if you worry too much, it´ll take away from the enjoyment of driving all of us in UCP feel.

[ScionDriver]

The possiblity of it happening can be scary. But there is no sence in feeling paraniod about it. Driving in itself is full of risks, but if you worry too much, it´ll take away from the enjoyment of driving all of us in UCP feel.
Well yeah, maybe paranoid isn't the right word, but occasionally on the interstate if I'm following behind a big truck I think of something like that. I still enjoy driving and I don't see that fading away anytime soon.

[crisis]

^^ hmm advanced driving schools say you can avoid these things :)

In this case, pay attention to the road ahead.
Leave sufficient gap to see ahead of the lead vehicle of any possible dangers.
Leave sufficient gap to respond to potential dangers.
observe, obserce, observe.
Yep, it’s the difference between operating the car and driving. But driving is such a common activity (despite the complexity that we take for granted) that we get complacent and occasionally compromise our safety.


But in this case my view is still "shit happens" :(
It’s a jungle out there…

Ironic that these two were putting themselves in danger by driving inappropriately close while sanctimonious filming others poor driving habits. ;)

[Matra et Alpine]

Ironic that these two were putting themselves in danger by driving inappropriately close while sanctimonious filming others poor driving habits. ;)
I call it kharma :)