5thwheel
Stainless
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2003
- Location
- Eugene, Oregon, USA
This evening I was heading over to a friend's shop to help build a bunch of miniature tubing benders that our model engineering club is producing to raise money for our club. I was several hundred yards from a cross road where I planned to turn right. Where the cross road crossed to my left was a rail road crossing with the gates down, lights flashing and bell ringing.
There were three cars backed up at the crossing. The last one was sticking out into the oncoming lane of the main highway. He pulled out and I thought he was going to just move ahead a bit but instead he passed the two cars ahead of him and proceeded to run (weave) the gates.
Just as he was about half through the Shasta Daylight appeared coming about 80 + MPH. The car barely made it through the gates but I'll bet he left a layer of his rear bumper on the engine. My reaction was to slam on my brakes. Don't know why but I did. Killed my engine. The guy behind me nearly rear ended me.
After I made my turn I pulled over to see if the car did make it. The Guy who nearly rear ended me pulled in behind me got out and was yelling and cussing me out. I opened the door of my little Chevy Tracker and unfolded my 6'4", 245 pounds out of the seat. He backed off very quickly and ran back to his car. I went over to his window and apologized and told him my reaction was a stupid one. He admitted he too was busy watching the guy run the gate and didn't see me until the last minute. In the end we both admitted we both acted stupid.
I have been driving for over 60 years and have never pulled such a stunt. How does one not feel stupid?
There were three cars backed up at the crossing. The last one was sticking out into the oncoming lane of the main highway. He pulled out and I thought he was going to just move ahead a bit but instead he passed the two cars ahead of him and proceeded to run (weave) the gates.
Just as he was about half through the Shasta Daylight appeared coming about 80 + MPH. The car barely made it through the gates but I'll bet he left a layer of his rear bumper on the engine. My reaction was to slam on my brakes. Don't know why but I did. Killed my engine. The guy behind me nearly rear ended me.
After I made my turn I pulled over to see if the car did make it. The Guy who nearly rear ended me pulled in behind me got out and was yelling and cussing me out. I opened the door of my little Chevy Tracker and unfolded my 6'4", 245 pounds out of the seat. He backed off very quickly and ran back to his car. I went over to his window and apologized and told him my reaction was a stupid one. He admitted he too was busy watching the guy run the gate and didn't see me until the last minute. In the end we both admitted we both acted stupid.
I have been driving for over 60 years and have never pulled such a stunt. How does one not feel stupid?