I left work tonight for my 50 mile commute home. I timed it so that I’d catch Marketplace when I got on the highway.
I’m driving through town, going maybe 30 or so as I make my way to the highway ramp when a pickup backs out of a hidden driveway. The guy stopped in order to look around for traffic, only his bumper was a few feet into the road, right in my lane. I swerved, and of course the car in the other lane reached me right at my swerve, almost scaring both of us that a crunch would happen.
I breathed hard, swore to myself and continued on my way. I wasn’t really all that mad at the pickup driver, given his driveway is on a steep hill and he probably had no idea how far out his bumper was. Still, it scared me quite a bit.
I decided to take an early exit from the highway and enjoy some backroads with my windows down. After a bit of that I got to a typical two lane state road that just drones on and on with moderate curves here and there.
So I was cruising along, enjoying Marketplace when I came to one of the steeper curves on the road.
I enter the curve doing the 40 mph speed limit and see a white Toyota crossing the center line, as though they were neglecting that curve altogether. The car was 2/3rd the way into my lane by the time it all registered. I swerved right, thankfully having the space of a large driveway entrance, and braked hard, causing my tires to squeal. The sound seemed to awaken the Toyota, who also swerved hard to his right, allowing both us to avoid collision. I bounded back onto the road from the driveway, having braked off all of 15 mph or so, then swore hard to myself and watching from my rearview mirror as the Toyota straighten out back into their lane. I could feel shakes starting in me from the adrenaline. Damn, that was really close! A split second would have made the difference between me swerving versus us colliding head on. It really amazed me how lucky I was; there was more of his car in my lane than in his, and only the timing of having that wide driveway saved me. Phew!
It took a few miles for my nerves to calm, but they did. I had maybe another 20 minute ride left before home.
I got back in the groove, nerves back to normal, when a car crosses the line, again at a curve! He only crossed by a few inches, but it happened right when he and I passed. There was no real danger, but damn, that nearly stopped my heart given the prior incident.
I finally got home, minus any further incidents. That white Toyota, whereever you are, cheers to you for a near miss. I hope to hell I don’t have so many close calls in any future commutes.