Close call today!

Was cruising North on I-5 in moderate traffic at the speed limit and saw a tire coming across the diamond lane headed South. It was going a bit diagonal into the rest of the traffic lanes, the next one of which was mine. Must have come off a car going South and jumped the guard rail. I was sure hoping as I got on the brakes that it did not hit the side of the car in front of me in the next lane on the right as it would then head directly for me. It went behind him and I got slowed enough that it went past my right fender with a few feet to spare. Of course the next car behind would not likely have seen it coming and could have hit head on. Luckily they must have seen it as it missed them too. Went into the far right lane and just in time to be clobbered by an 18 wheeler. I could not see it when it hit but I sure heard it. I thought sure it was going to be launched back into my direction by the truck. When it hit the truck, it exploded and pieces went all across three lanes and as best I could tell did not hit anyone. The canvas top of the cabrio would not have been much help if it had come for me after hitting the truck... Lots of contemplation for the next hour till I got home.

We just never know....

Bob in Lake Havasu

Wow!

Glad your ok.
Waht are the ods?!

Not sure what the odds are but this is the second tire I have had come close. Many years ago I saw a car in the opposite lanes lose a wheel and it went behind me that time. Have had the hood come loose and wrap itself over the windscreen at highway speed. Lots of "interesting" things happen on the road.

Bob in Lake Havasu

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Bob in Everett
Was cruising North on I-5 in moderate traffic at the speed limit and saw a tire coming across the diamond lane headed South. It was going a bit diagonal into the rest of the traffic lanes, the next one of which was mine. Must have come off a car going South and jumped the guard rail. I was sure hoping as I got on the brakes that it did not hit the side of the car in front of me in the next lane on the right as it would then head directly for me. It went behind him and I got slowed enough that it went past my right fender with a few feet to spare. Of course the next car behind would not likely have seen it coming and could have hit head on. Luckily they must have seen it as it missed them too. Went into the far right lane and just in time to be clobbered by an 18 wheeler. I could not see it when it hit but I sure heard it. I thought sure it was going to be launched back into my direction by the truck. When it hit the truck, it exploded and pieces went all across three lanes and as best I could tell did not hit anyone. The canvas top of the cabrio would not have been much help if it had come for me after hitting the truck... Lots of contemplation for the next hour till I got home.

We just never know....

Sounds like a close one Bob.

I was standing outside an old Bmw dealership I was working at havin a break when a truck passed and part of his tire blew out and shot toward me and went right through the window, about ten feet away. I looked up, said Thank You, and went back to work! The road (or on the side of one) can be a scary place!

Cheers, Rick

It is pretty scary how many folks pay so little attention to there ride to be sure it will get them there without a surprise. Then they act so victimized when something goes awry. I must have a million miles behind me in cars of all kinds. Only one of them new. Only been broken down a couple of times. Both times by fuel pumps but within tow truck distance of home so could make repairs myself. The new car had an issue that needed warranty work on a trip but the dealer was pretty responsive so did not cost a lot of my vacation. Point being that observent care of the car pays dividends in reliability and comfort. Most drivers these days have little idea how their car works because cars have become so complex and computer centric that it really does take a specialist to figure out what it is doing. More transparency by the car makers in making these system easier to read would be a big help. It seems that most of them act like our cars are an annuity for service work.

Bob in Lake Havasu

New cars are made for people who don't give a shit about the car, those are the ones buying cars these days.
Complexity is never a good thing, when cars go older.
The electronic aids do help when the driver is notified of problems in the car and the need to seek assistance, as he probably would otherwise neglect the signs an old car gives before it breaks on the roadside. The computer keeps the readings and errors the car gave, to be read and interpreted by someone trained to do so (the specialist).
Problem is sometimes the owner can't have access to that data, and the "specialist" is not that much specialized...Then things start to go wrong.

I also think, these days, people really are not connected to their cars like years ago (when cars were not as good). In general though, I think americans just take crappy care of their autos period!

Yes, the road is a scary place. I'm so glad I have some newer, faster cars so I can lead that dance out there...

Rick

About 35 years ago, a truck tire came loose like that in Santa Barbara on the 101. It jumped the barrier and killed a guy. But how many of us look for loose wheels when we are defensively driving?

My dad was a drivers ed instructor for highschool students. So every ride with him was a lesson. I have reluctance to follow any truck with a load that looks the least bit unsecure. Stuff coming the other way is not very predictable so I was very lucky to have seen the tire far enough ahead to be able to do anything about it. A closing rate of 100 feet per second gave me only about 3 or 4 seconds to react and accomplish any evasive maneuvers. I was reluctant to change lanes as I was on the brakes and had no time to look to the side. Might have had a collision with an unsuspecting driver that had not seen the tire. Overall, it appears that most of the other drivers were likewise observant enough to avoid it too. The only one who had no chance was the truck. Too many cars along side for him to change lanes.

Bob in Lake Havasu

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Bob in Everett
My dad was a drivers ed instructor for highschool students. So every ride with him was a lesson. I have reluctance to follow any truck with a load that looks the least bit unsecure. Stuff coming the other way is not very predictable so I was very lucky to have seen the tire far enough ahead to be able to do anything about it. A closing rate of 100 feet per second gave me only about 3 or 4 seconds to react and accomplish any evasive maneuvers. I was reluctant to change lanes as I was on the brakes and had no time to look to the side. Might have had a collision with an unsuspecting driver that had not seen the tire. Overall, it appears that most of the other drivers were likewise observant enough to avoid it too. The only one who had no chance was the truck. Too many cars along side for him to change lanes.

Yup, it pays to keep your eyes open out there... Good show Bob

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Bob in Everett
My dad was a drivers ed instructor for highschool students. So every ride with him was a lesson. I have reluctance to follow any truck with a load that looks the least bit unsecure. Stuff coming the other way is not very predictable so I was very lucky to have seen the tire far enough ahead to be able to do anything about it. A closing rate of 100 feet per second gave me only about 3 or 4 seconds to react and accomplish any evasive maneuvers. I was reluctant to change lanes as I was on the brakes and had no time to look to the side. Might have had a collision with an unsuspecting driver that had not seen the tire. Overall, it appears that most of the other drivers were likewise observant enough to avoid it too. The only one who had no chance was the truck. Too many cars along side for him to change lanes.

Wow Bob,

That was a close call! I'm glad you and your car are unscathed.

I will add flying wheels to my road dangers watch list.

Kelly