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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by judy1 on January 3, 2005, at 12:56:59
I was driving my kids to school this morning (I live in so. cal. and it's pouring) when I hit a slick spot on the freeway. I was going below the speed limit but my car hydroplaned and I did 5!!! 360 degree turns, starting out in the slow lane and finishing facing oncoming traffic after I barely missed smashing into the median wall. I was completely detached and found out my car was still running when I u-turned and pulled over to the break down lane and sat in shock. This is so. cal. folks- no one knows how to drive in the rain and not one person hit me!!! and this was rush hour!! None of us have a scratch on us, and the car is fine. I'm sitting here with my neck and back killing me because I was gripping the wheel so hard and I was whipped around like one of those spinning carnival rides. I am not a religious person but I thanked God (and still am) for sparing my kids from harm- hey I've lived my life but they are just starting their's. So that's my miracle and I wanted to share.
Hoping this year is filled with miracles for all of you, judy
p.s. I have no idea what to do when that happens- are you supposed to steer into the turn? brake hard? I don't remember what I did at all, all I know is we survived.
Posted by Phil on January 3, 2005, at 15:03:05
In reply to Unbelievable!!!- my miracle, posted by judy1 on January 3, 2005, at 12:56:59
Jeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz, Judy! You've got friends in high places.
I think they say to steer in the direction of the skid but I just go by instinct. Seems your instinct was good.
I'm really happy to hear everyone was okay, more or less.
You have an angel on your shoulder.Phil
Posted by judy1 on January 6, 2005, at 14:11:19
In reply to Re: Unbelievable!!!- my miracle, posted by Phil on January 3, 2005, at 15:03:05
> You have an angel on your shoulder.
And I wish she/he would stay there. Have you ever watched The X files? There was an episode where this guy had this amazing good luck (like always winning the lottery, etc.) but there was this negative reaction to every positive action- like his life being saved although an assassin tried to kill him but the assassin landed up dead (now I wouldn't have a problem with that:-), maybe it's a physics thing. anyway, my immediate thought was to trade in my car for a Hummer, but that has passed (don't they only get 6 miles to the gallon?)
take care of yourself, judy
Posted by Phil on January 6, 2005, at 19:43:56
In reply to I love that image » Phil, posted by judy1 on January 6, 2005, at 14:11:19
I think you're right on the gas mileage thing. I'd have big trouble using a gallon of gas to go 6 or 8 miles.
Posted by Shar on January 6, 2005, at 21:57:01
In reply to Unbelievable!!!- my miracle, posted by judy1 on January 3, 2005, at 12:56:59
Hey, Jude,
It couldn't hurt to thank God. Or....whomever.I've had a similar experience, except no kids in the car. My feeling was just disappointment that I didn't die.
It was a rainy day, I'd borrowed a car, and the stoplight changed...I braked moderately and ended up spinning into the intersection, landing (right side up, ready to roll) in the driveway of a shop that was not yet open.
While in the spin, I was thinking, "Oh, good! Maybe this is it!" And I was very disappointed after. Oh, well. What's a few more decades of this wonderful life?
xoxoxo
It's good to hear from you, and I'm very happy you and your loved ones are safe and sound!
Shar
Posted by judy1 on January 7, 2005, at 14:00:36
In reply to Re: Unbelievable!!!- my miracle » judy1, posted by Shar on January 6, 2005, at 21:57:01
Shar, I'm sure that I'm not alone in feeling relief that you weren't injured. We've all (probably) felt like you did on that occasion, but I hope you know that those feelings eventually pass. It sure stays with you though, I'm certain I'll never forget what happened (as it sounds like you haven't either).
take care, judy
Posted by Noa on January 8, 2005, at 10:21:46
In reply to Unbelievable!!!- my miracle, posted by judy1 on January 3, 2005, at 12:56:59
WOW, Judy. So relieved to hear everyone is ok. I hope your muscle pain resolved quickly.
Very very scary. I also hope life brings you lots of SMALL miracles (i.e., sans the pre-miracle trauma and danger!!!!) in every day.
As for what to do in hydroplaning, I don't know. I imagine that it might depend on what kind of brake system your car has, whether you have front, rear, four or all wheel drive, etc. etc..
I don't know if hydroplaning is the same as ice, but my experience on ice is that if you are skidding sideways or into a turn, you are supposed to go counter-intuitive and take your foot off the brake, just using the steering wheel to right yourself--by turning the steering wheel in the direction that the REAR of the car has gone--it takes practice(unfortunatly!) to gauge how hard to turn the steering wheel into the skid--usually you have to readjust the other way slightly, and maybe back and forth a little, if you overturn into the skid.
For skidding forward, I learned to gently pump the brakes, because pressing on the brakes can make it worse. But I have never had anti-lock brakes so I don't know what the rule is there.Just so glad it turned out ok.
Posted by Noa on January 8, 2005, at 10:23:23
In reply to Re: I love that image » judy1, posted by Phil on January 6, 2005, at 19:43:56
And try parking a hummer in a parking space!!!
Posted by judy1 on January 8, 2005, at 13:04:31
In reply to Re: Unbelievable!!!- my miracle » judy1, posted by Noa on January 8, 2005, at 10:21:46
actually I must have known instinctively to take my foot off the accelerator, and not slam on the brakes (I do have anti-lock brakes and rear wheel drive). when I was in college I lived in Minnesota and knew tons of people who deliberately would go spinning on ice (lakes frozen over), it was a huge sport then and probably still is, ah the follies of youth :-).
I've been driving my husband's SUV (not a Hummer, but almost as big) I feel so secure in it and the kids love it- they sit in the third row so I feel like a bus driver. My husband has never! been in an accident, so he doesn't mind driving my car- he just drives a lot slower than I do. actually I've been driving a lot slower now too.
take care, judy
Posted by judy1 on January 8, 2005, at 13:09:18
In reply to Re: I love that image, posted by Noa on January 8, 2005, at 10:23:23
yep, they take up 2 spots (my neighbor-mid life crisis- has one) I can't believe how wide they are, but like I posted before, they sure do eat up gas (and they're a little too macho for me :-)
take care, judy
This is the end of the thread.
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