An actual near-death experience yesterday!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (207500)
Walnut Creek, California
January 22, 2016 10:44am CST
Yesterday, I was driving a kid client up to Inspiration Point in Tilden Park to cycle. My kid had just asked, "Would we die if we rolled off this (winding) road and into that valley?" As I was answering, a car coming the other way lost control on a sharp right turn (it was going way too fast) and skidded into our lane. I swerved hard right, toward the valley, and then hard left, getting back on the road. The speeding car barely missed us and somehow regained control without going over the edge. My kid said, "Oh my God, you just saved our lives!" Then he asked if my heart was pounding, like his. (It was.) Earlier on our outing, my kid, who is 12 and likes things that go vroom, had asked me why I drive kind of slow. I said, "Because I have a kid in my car," and smiled at him. He understood. I had then explained how driving slower gives you more time to react if someone else does something stupid. After the "incident," he said, "I like that the cars in front of us are driving slowly, so they won't lose control." I agreed. We had a good time cycling, stopped a few times to see if we could find the frogs we heard croaking, and then went to McDonalds for a snack.
34 people like this
33 responses
@RasmaSandra (74074)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Jan 16
@TheHorse You are a smart and safe driver. We have real crazy drivers here in Latvia and we hear about accident often. Just recently one not so intelligent driver ran into the side of a tram. I mean a tram is not a pin so don't tell me he didn't see the tram till it was too late. Bad thing is that this nut also injured some people who were inside the tram.
1 person likes this
, its beautiful.@TheHorse (207500)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 16
The point of my post was that I WAS being careful, and I think it saved us. The kid wanted me to drive faster, and he learned what happens when you drive too fast from the car that almost hit us. Ah, thanks. The picture is of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
23 Jan 16
That sounds like a close call and I am glad you were able to maintain control.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
25 Jan 16
@TheHorse I agree, there really is not much we can do to protect ourselves from others reckless behavior.
@CookieMonster46 (13447)
• United States
23 Jan 16
I know where Tilden Park is, I have been there before, I know the road. Sounds like you had a close call there.
3 people like this
@CookieMonster46 (13447)
• United States
23 Jan 16
@TheHorse People like driving fast there for some reason, when it rains it is a lot worse.
@TheHorse (207500)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Jan 16
Yes, it was on the East/Orinda side. Very winding. The speedster failed to negotiate a turn properly. I can't believe he was going so fast on a winding road with wet pavement and cyclists out, hugging the edge. But as some comedian said, "Half the people we know are below average."
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
22 Jan 16
Life lessons abound. He just had one. Glad you are an excellent driver. I would miss you if you drove off a cliff. 
3 people like this
@TheHorse (207500)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 16
Thanks, @ElizabethWallace. I was secretly thanking nature for giving me a quick reaction time. I think it's a great coincidence that we had been discussing why I drive slow and don't tailgate. I hope he internalizes the lesson. Sometimes ADHD kids learn best through experience.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
23 Jan 16
@TheHorse Had a teenager student aid once. He came back from lunch totally pale. He told me he almost ran over a child who darted out between cars. He was going slowly enough that he was able to stop, and never forgot the lesson.
@celticeagle (159887)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Jan 16
Sounds like a nice day out. And only one near fatality. I would want junk food after that too. Whoa!
3 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94921)
• United States
22 Jan 16
Some people need to learn to drive slowly. Glad you two were safe. 
3 people like this
OMG! I'm glad you've made it out okay and here with us. Scary thought.
@Metsrock69 (3505)
• United States
26 Jan 16
You have to love life everyday. you never know when it can be taken away from you
2 people like this
@whiteream (8567)
• United States
23 Jan 16
I am glad you are all alright. That must have been horrifying.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
23 Jan 16
That was a close call and at a very strange time...maybe God was showing your son how things can work out OK. that gives me the chills
2 people like this
@TheHorse (207500)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jan 16
Yes, often there's a tendency to "over-swerve" and then wind in a skid. I think i knew what my vehicle was capable of and swerved just enough to miss the oncoming vehicle.The correction back to the left felt pretty "in control."
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
24 Jan 16
What a good lesson for that boy. Now understanding speed kills will probably stay with him forever. So glad you avoided disaster.
2 people like this
