Scariest moments behind the wheel.

**48Packard** · 08.17.2012

There is one that comes to mind from time to time.

Probably eight...nine years ago. I-80 eastbound in PA, not far from OH. Night time, very dark. See the emergency lights up ahead on the left side, so I move right. The left lane is closed and some of the epuipment is right on the zipper, so I move right, pretty much as far as I could on the shoulder. By this time, I've slowed to probably 30 or 35, just easing on through, when all of a sudden I see a trooper on the right shoulder...no flashlight, no vest, just his uniform. I get left as quick as I can, and he never moved as he was pretty much as far right as he could be. Scared the hell outta me and I've never forgotten it.

**Sequoia** · 08.17.2012

Last night, I-40 east bound for 45 miles on the way into Nashville.
Horrible, horrible thunderstorm. Lightning. Wind. Rain so hard that the wipers on high almost couldn't keep up.
...and truck drivers blowing past me at 65. Saw 2 accidents that night involving big trucks, one at the exit for the Flying J.

**zaroba** · 08.30.2012

After reading this thread, I have to ask,
Do your trucks come equipped with dashboard cameras or anything of that nature to use in case of an accident as proof that it might not be your fault?
And, If the trucks don't come with them, do any drivers buy them to use for personal protection in case of an accident?

I used to use a dashboard camera all the time in my car (it broke a while ago and I haven't gotten a new one yet), got lots of bad drivers and many near misses on tape. If any of those near misses weren't near misses, it would have been on tape that the other driver cut me off or pulled out in front of me, etc. It can also save if the accident *is* your fault. I once accidentally bumped into a car ahead of me (tired from a 12 hour shift at a warehouse). It was just light tap, no damage. Thought he went at a road merging as he had ample space (well over 100 yards) so I started creeping up while watching the traffic. In this instance it proved there was no damage in case the driver tried to lie and claim whiplash or damage as the camera showed him and me pulling off to the side of the road and both of us out of our vehicles talking. From what I have heard, dashboard cameras are accepted as evidence in court and some insurance companies give deductions for using them.