Very nearly crushed by a 40 tonner

[Dieselman]

Driving home tonight I was behind a W208, CLK as we fed off one motorway onto a slip leading onto another motorway, when suddenly the traffic came to a stop leaving me still in the slow lane.
I had to stop very quickly bringing on the ABS as it was wet, but I was also trying to tuck up close to the back of the CLK as the 40 tonner behind was now bearing down on me at a rate of knots.
Weighing up the situation quickly saw me hit the accelerator and make for the hard shoulder pulling up alongside the CLK.

With quite a bit of lurching and swaying while heavily braking, the lorry managed to pull round the CLK.

Judging by the look the CLK driver gave me, I don't think he realised quite what was happening and how close to a major smash we all were.

 

[renault12ts]

Phew.

Everyone you escape...

 

[Terry_]

F..k me that must have made your bum twitch. Glad it turned out ok
And well done to the truck driver for not squashing the 208!!!!!!!

 

[Dieselman]

Phew.

Everyone you escape...

Last one the lorry driver went for the hard shoulder so I straddled the 1-2 lane line, this one he was definitely going to plough into me, so I took the hard shoulder.

Always keep an eye on the mirror when stopping suddenly, especially if there is a lorry behind you.

 

[Rashman]

Jesus...scarey stuff!

Fair play for your last minute judgement call!

 

[Mr. B]

Last one the lorry driver went for the hard shoulder so I straddled the 1-2 lane line, this one he was definitely going to plough into me, so I took the hard shoulder.

Always keep an eye on the mirror when stopping suddenly, especially if there is a lorry behind you.

Have you checked the back of your car recently for one of these....

View attachment 32769

 

[Dieselman]

Have you checked the back of your car recently for one of these....

It matches the one on my back...

 

[Mr. B]

It matches the one on my back...

Now that's funny.

 

[Troon]

Over the last few years, I've gradually increased the braking distance I leave to mitigate precisely this sort of thing: and I was never a tailgater to start with. If possible, I try to leave at least five seconds to the car in front - obviously on some roads, that's asking for people to continually pull into the gap you've left...

I drive nearly 25k miles a year, often on motorways, and have never triggered my ABS due to an emergency stop.

I'm not trying to claim superiority or suggest that DM's driving was anything other than exemplary here, but there are always ways to improve one's driving to become less susceptible to traffic variations.

 

[seven]

Driven by a C63 owner?!!
Joking aside glad you had your wits about you. I always check my mirror if I have to brake heavily(which isn't often as I like to leave a larger than acceptable gap) as you never know what the person behind you may be doing i.e texting,watching a movie or making a pot noodle etc.

 

[Dieselman]

Over the last few years, I've gradually increased the braking distance I leave to mitigate precisely this sort of thing: and I was never a tailgater to start with. If possible, I try to leave at least five seconds to the car in front - obviously on some roads, that's asking for people to continually pull into the gap you've left...

I drive nearly 25k miles a year, often on motorways, and have never triggered my ABS due to an emergency stop.

I'm not trying to claim superiority or suggest that DM's driving was anything other than exemplary here, but there are always ways to improve one's driving to become less susceptible to traffic variations.

No offense taken, I had moved closer to the CLK to give a greater stopping distance for the lorry if it should be necessary.

 

[tode]

Lucky the truck driver was on his toes .

 

[Rashman]

It matches the one on my back...

Hahahaha... probably put there by the C63 boys!

Wahahahaha!!

 

[TDE1]

Nicely done DM.

Lorries scare the bejesus out of me when I end up hemmed in front of one on the Mway, usually in roadworks or other 50mph zones. I can stop on a proverbial sixpence, but the 'professional' HGV driver behind me, who's grille is filling the rear view mirror, might take a tad longer to bring his 40-odd ton to a halt.

Most of us one here wouldn't cut in front of a heavy vehicle until flashed or we can see its safe, but they really don't do themselves many favours by bunching up our backsides when we're restricted to keep within their speed limits.

(Sorry Will, should have posted this on the Pet Hate thread Well spotted and smartly evaded )

 

[developer]

You could run a poll to see whether the panel thinks "very nearly" is a good or a bad thing .

 

[BigSilverEstate]

Glad you came out safely and good reaction. Not so easy in the dark and rain to judge a following vehicle's rate of deceleration in time to do anything about it.

Trading blows with MIKA etc must have an added sweetness knowing where you could be tonight.

 

[carat 3.6]

Well done for noticing what was about to happen, and taking avoiding action. Not many drivers these days take notice of what is happening in their surroundings, most would not have even looked in their mirrors.

 

[mw_C32]

You were lucky...I nearly spilt my load

 

[d w124]

Hahahaha... probably put there by the C63 boys!

Wahahahaha!!

Stop it Rash or you`ll be accused for trolling

 

[DITTRICH]

Glad you're safe.
Whoever is sitting on your shoulder keeping an eye on you is doing a good job.
If I'm last in the queue I always leave extra space and an exit route if possible - and watch my RVM too.