Scariest moments behind the wheel.

Reading other's experiences is helpful.

Here are a couple of mine.
WB I-40 from Memphis, crossing MS River bridge. Slow moving car in right lane turned out to be a STOPPED car with no flashers. I go to change lanes, of course I'm boxed in. Standing on the binders, car next to me had the good sense to accelerate out and I BARELY got around the stopped car. I woulda chipped him like a 9 iron shot into Arkansas.

Next I-30 EB nearing Texarkana. I follow big, meaning I leave tons of space always no matter what. Traffic is light to moderate. All of a sudden the poop hits the fan way up in front of me, cars, semi's and everything looking like a pinball game. I start on the brakes. What amazed me was, despite my huge and distinguished following distance, it was all gone in a flash. I couldn't believe how fast I found myself in a panic stop situation, DESPITE my ultra conservative driving. So, if you are inclined to tailgate, trust me you are playing with fire, because everything is fine, UNTIL THE POOP HITS THE FAN. Then you are out of aces my friend. Your number just hit.

 

Going across Donner Pass in a snowstorm. We were the last group of vehicles allowed to cross and I was in the lead with a line of 4 wheelers behind me. At times the wind gusts were so bad I could not see the end of the hood. When that happened my words were: "Lord help me"! I stayed right in the middle of the road with only the high snowbanks on either side as a guide. We made it safely to the other side with my wife strapped in the bunk under the covers praying.

 

Driving across 80 in Illinois maybe last winter or the one before. The road was covered in ice/snow,night time,not snowing, winds 30+; able to maintain about 35-40mph, traffic very light,visibility good. About 300-400 yards in front of me 1 or 2 cars start braking with nothing in front of them. So I let off the accelerator and gently start braking knowing i need a lot of space to get stopped. When i get up to where the cars are, i realize why they have stopped, visibility went to 2 feet in an instant; i cant see past the end of the hood, now sliding to a stop. The wind was blowing snow through a gap on the shoulder across the roadway. I had to open the door to look out and see where i was. I was on the inside shoulder almost off the roadway into the median. 3 or 4 cars stopped behind and next to me. I put my head out the window and crept forward about 50 yards and i was out of it, onto clear sailing again. Sucky time but made it through.

 

My dad and I were taking the truck to his buddy's place to get some welding done on the trailer. I was about 8 or 9 at the time. His buddy had a shop out in a rural area and it was mid morning. We are literally about a kilometer from the shop when I think I see something on the road in front of us. I just manage to get out the words "Is that a dog......" at exactly the same moment my dad spots it and hit the brakes. Sure enough there was a dog, exactly the same color as the pavement, sleeping in the middle of the 2 lanes. He got around the dog no problem. Sure got the adrenalin pumping though.

 

My two scariest moments were both wind related. The first was last year southbound on 25 south of Albuquerque. Cleared a cut and got caught broadside from the right. Trailer started to go over. Steer left and hammer the throttle to get it back down.

The second was just this week in Oklahoma. Surrounded by thunderstorms. Gusting winds from every direction. I'm on a narrow two lane with no shoulder. It's white line and at least 6 inches of drop then ditch. A gust catches me hard enough the trailer grabs the edge and bam, I'm fighting to stay outta that ditch. I dont think I was doing more than 40 when it happened. Needed the whole road to recover. Did some decent damage to my right steer too.

 

Yeah, ya gotta watch that "breaking wind!"
Seriously though, good job on keeping it upright!