Barely avoided an accident.

[Bubbas_brother]

Always liked modern art.

[TorontoBoy]

...She pulled out into the intersection then STOPPED briefly so I thought she saw me then she hit the gas AGAIN and then came to a screeching halt in front of me.

That's what had me so flabbergasted :\
...

I also thought it queer that she briefly stopped midlane. It is possible that she thought that your honking came from the truck. When the truck slowed down and started to turn, she thought it was Ok to go across the intersection. You did not even factor into her assessment until close to her front bumper.

According to Hough, this type of situation is the second most common "left hand turner" crash situation. Very dangerous.

[zeligman]

I'm still a brand new rider, but this particular situation is one of my biggest fears - I have near misses in EXACTLY this scenario once every year or so in my CAR.

I'm trying for the moment not to go around anyone or travel in the passing lane (or left hand lane) in a 4 laner unless i'm making a left turn.

Of course, then I'm also paranoid about getting hit from behind - but then again, I suppose when I stop being paranoid is when I should re-read pf, or take another class to remind me -

glad you avoided the hit!

[Brackstone]

Thanks Z,

I usually stay in the right Lane but them I'm always worried about someone entering the road or pulling infront of me regardless of me being behind someone.

[Superfly3176]

When someone beeps their horn "at" someone the person usually doesn't know whats happening. Said person probably came to a dead stop due to the fact that they thought they were going to merge into someone going the opposite direction as you. I know that I slow down hard when someone beeps at me. Is it right? Probably not, but it is a natural reaction for some people.

[Johnj]

I just thought since this person STOPPED they saw me and it was OK. I guess I just should've kept bringing my speed down and assumed they saw a squirrel or something

Never ever assume they see you. There is no such thing as making eye contact. Watch their front wheel. Move your bike around in your lane.

[redwing]

Glad you walked away from all that. I'm always surprised at how fast a situation can develope. I live in the country and when I drive or ride I find a dead animal (usually a spot) every 2 or 3 miles in the road.
Hey...now you got a story and an experience .... well, more experience.
Robert

[Zagnut]

Similar type scenerio happened to me a while ago. Except the offending car was turning from a parking lot, thru the suicide turn lane in the middle and into my lane in my direction of travel.... and the offending car was a cop.

I saw him thru the windows of the blocking car in the suicide turn lane, and knew he would pull this idiot move... and when he did I was ready. I quickly switched lanes to the outside lane away from him as I accelerated, and when I cleared in front of the cop, I whipped back into his lane...which he stole from me. I knew it was kind of an A-hole move on my part to whip back in front of him, but I wanted him to know it was my lane until he took it from me.

He responded by flipping on his lights and pulling me over. He told me he stopped me for speeding. I replied, "I didn't realize I was going that fast....you see.. when you pulled out of that parking lot, across the pass lane and into my lane.. into the actual space where I was, it scared me so I switched lanes and sped up to get out of your way so you wouldn't run over me..."

Needless to say..he let me off with a warning.
.

[RhadamYgg]

Glad to hear you are ok and avoided the accident.

What I don't understand is why drivers in that position stop in the lane that I'm trying to ride through.

I'm like - of all the possible options - stopping in my path of travel is the worst possibility.

And that's usually when I'm in my car...

RhadamYgg

[Zagnut]

What I don't understand is why drivers in that position stop in the lane that I'm trying to ride through.

I'm like - of all the possible options - stopping in my path of travel is the worst possibility.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing as I read your account of it... I guess it's the proverbial "deer in the headlights" reaction. They freak and then their brain just shuts down.