I was driving down a fairly travelled road last night after dark at about 7:30 pm. The lawns to my right were on a pretty good incline, and the street is lined with many trees and bushes. As I approached this one section just past some thick tall bushes, out of the corner of my eye I see a frantic mother chasing after a baby carriage down her steep and not so long driveway. I only had split seconds to react!! I slammed on my brakes but it was happening so fast, I still had to swerved around it as it rolled out into the street. I must have just missed that baby carriage by mere inches! As I looked in my mirror, I saw the carriage roll across the street behind me, and bounced off the curb until it finally came to a stop. Luckily there was nobody coming the other way too! I stopped and ran over to the carriage to find that the baby was fine. The mother said she had only let go of the carriage for a second to open her trunk. Man, my heart is still in my throat!!! Had I not had good and properly adjusted brakes, I would have definately hit that baby! This was an experience I'll never forget. The value of having good brakes is definately priceless!!!
Kenny

 

Good job buddy!!

Nathan

 

Thanks Nathan, It was by pure "dumb luck" that I didn't hit that carriage. I can't even imagine what if I had not missed it!!
Kenny

 

Kenny, Wow! Smooth move with the driving. I had a very similar experience with kids chasing a ball into the street. That is something that always comes across my mind as I drive down a neighborhood street. I wish more people had that feeling as they drive through a neighborhood. I would not want everybody to experience something like this but it would be good for people just to have the feeling in the back of there mind. Jake.

Jakegypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.
Brakes are cheap!

 

Ive had all too familiar experiences before. Now, if there is a kid, or dog, or anything near the side of the road Im extra concious of whats going on. Many times I find myself thinking "I knew that was going to happen!" I guess a 6th sence happening.

Nathan

 

I can't even imagine what you were feeling at the time. Or even how you still feel. I have had close calls before, but nothing like that. Fast reflexes, good brakes, and just being aware of your surroundings pays off always! You never know what could happen. Just up the road from me we had a bad accident the other day. Two teenagers died, another has a broken back, and the other walked away from it. All in the same truck. It rolled twice at 65 mph. The truck landed in my friends grandmothers front yard. Now there is a little memorial site in her yard with flowers and crosses. Every time you drive you put your own life at risk. Just sharing some thoughts.

Jake

 

I know what you guys mean. It does make you more aware of what's going on in the corner of your eye. 6th sense was a great descrition Nathan!
Kenny

 

Kenny, I had a close one right after we got the wifes boss we were driving down the street 35mph limit and out of nowhere some kids came flying out between two cars on those motorized scooters right in the main street. well the antilock brakes sure do give you a ride I missed them by inches there was a cop right behind me and he went after them and impounded the scooters they have since been outlawed in Brigantine so I must not have been the first or the last that they did this to but my eyes are always on the sidewalks and corners now. If I had hit them it would have been their fault but I still would have had to try to live with the fact that I had hit a kid. so stupid, I wonder if they will ever learn? or if they will learn before it is to late anyway? John

 

Just think if you had been looking down to tune your radio at that moment. Wish they would bring back the old fashioned radio with two ***** and the big pushbuttons. Those could be tuned without ever taking your eyes off the road, but these modern digital radios are a road hazard.

 

Kenny
I am glad you were able to avoid a most likely fatal accident. I hope the mother learned something from all this.

TallPaul,
Next time you buy an aftermarket radio, get one with a remote control. No more taking your eyes off the road and they can also be a lot of fun (see the thread "Annoying Dad")

alanscott

[link:ford-trucks.com/users/alanscott/|http://www.ford-trucks.net/users/alanscott/clubftesml.jpg]...Click!

 

alanscott: Great joke with the remote radio. LOL. What I really need is a tape or CD player, but I am too cheap to buy one. Last casette deck I bought was in '87 for $10 at a garage sale. It lasted until about '98, then died.