Handling saved me from a crash

[acetothermus]

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

Situational awareness helps more than anything.

So very this.

[krayzie]

Originally Posted by mazeroni

Hurrah for low center of gravity! Plenty of cars would have gotten you out of it, but not with as much confidence. Definitely not as well if you then had to avoid another obstacle.

That is one of the faults of people. They go buy a Suburban or other large vehicle because they think it is safer, when in reality the best survival tool in a situation like that is to avoid it all together. I would rather out-brake or swerve to avoid an accident, instead of barreling head on into something at 60 mph in my 6 ton SUV. Obviously I don't expect a family of 4 to drive a Twin. An Accord or a Focus will suffice.

When I first got the car one of the first things I did going down the road was chuck it back in forth in my lane. I was shocked at how even at 55 the car handled nearly as well as when you are dodging a car in a parking lot. It just stays planted, basically zero body roll, and the front end feels soo light and is soo happy to change direction.

The first time I took it out on some back roads I had to completely adjust my mindset. I found myself getting on the brakes far too early, and turning in too early because the car is more capable than me. I still don't think I am entirely used to it. When I think I am at 7/10ths, the reality is I am at 4-5/10ths.

Goto 4:00 of this video.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3EvsrMaj6U"]Jeremy Clarkson's view on off-road cars, 4x4s and the school run - Clarkson's Car Years - BBC worldwide - YouTube[/ame]

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by mdm

Other don't grasp what that pedal on the right is for. I mean, they pull out in front of a moving car, far enough not to cause an accident, but they still make the moving car brake unnecessarily, because they accelerate very gently or not at all when they should floor it.

Yeah I've met plenty of people who think pushing the gas pedal too hard will hurt the engine.

[Boomerang]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Yeah I've met plenty of people who think pushing the gas pedal too hard will hurt the engine.

Or Auto drivers who like to use both feet for brake and gas!
Recipe for disaster

[Packofcrows]

I dodged a big bloated turkey falling off front car's hood(?) I know the feeling. Makes you feel rewarding and complete.

[NyC Zn6]

no not the handling, your defensive driving skills saved your life although handling did play a small role. I was in a similar situation to yours about three years ago on New years eve i was driving on a three lane highway in the left lane. i was in a Maxima when i see this guy merge(BMW 750) on to the highway from the right all the way to the left lane completely sideways. i would of t-boned him at 65mph if i didn't make a split decision reaction to turn to the right.I don't how my brain processed this thought so fast. Thank god there were no cars to the right of me or I would of side swiped or pit maneuver another vehicle. The car that merged to the left crash into the divider head on in front of me. The car behind me did not maneuver in time and t-boned the BMW.

[mdm]

Originally Posted by Boomerang

Or Auto drivers who like to use both feet for brake and gas!
Recipe for disaster

Did you just criticize my favourite driving technique, which I described and the passionately defended in this thread http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100252 ?

[Boomerang]

Originally Posted by mdm

Did you just criticize my favourite driving technique, which I described and the passionately defended in this thread http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100252 ?

Yes, it is a bad habit to drive auto with one foot on the gas and one on the brake, unless you are doing burnouts at the drags

So many accidents happen when this is done, e.g. I thought I was pressing the brake when I was actually pressing the gas as I drove through the convenience store Normally senior drivers however

[Imrac]

Yep, if I was in our forester for this, I would have eaten a giant rock to the windshield and front bumper.

I had to wait to see which direction the rock was going to bounce

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doDY06olMzA"]i405 Rock from Dump Truck - YouTube[/ame]

[geezerbrzeezer]

OP, nice driving. Situational awareness indeed, as unfortunately we're forced to drive for all the A to B'ers who did the bare minimum to get a licence (if they even have one).

My shit the pants moment happened two weeks ago - had the advanced green to turn east, but there was a bus to my right that prevented me from seeing if the eastbounders had stopped at the red. I creeped out, trying not to piss off the tailgater behind me who couldn't figure why the hell I was suddenly Grampa in a BRZ, when an old Taurus wagon blew the red and passed a few inches from my bumper.

It shook me to think that in my earlier driving days I would have just green means go'ed it. Oddly, what immediately flashed through my mind was the hassle of trying to replace the car and redo all the mods - never even considered personal injuries.

Experience is a wonderful teacher.

[geezerbrzeezer]

Originally Posted by Imrac

Yep, if I was in our forester for this, I would have eaten a giant rock to the windshield and front bumper.

I had to wait to see which direction the rock was going to bounce

You do realize he scored on you, right?

[Imrac]

Originally Posted by geezerbrzeezer

You do realize he scored on you, right?

I am confused by this statement.

Also, I am almost sure the bimmer ate the rock first and it slid off the poor guys hood or windshield.

[mdm]

Originally Posted by Boomerang

So many accidents happen when this is done, e.g. I thought I was pressing the brake when I was actually pressing the gas as I drove through the convenience store

Well I have never had such an accident but I know of a few and in no case was braking with left foot involved.


I'd argue that pedal mixup is actually less likely with using left foot to operate the brake and right foot to operate the gas, because your instincts are trained to brake with left foot. In normal driving both are operated with the right foot, only in slightly different location.


I'd argue that it's easier for the brain to confuse whether it is operating the right foot a few inches to the left or a few inches to the right, vs. confusing whether it's using the left foot or the right foot.


But I am repeating myself, it's all in that other thread, let's not derail this one.

[mazeroni]

Originally Posted by krayzie

Goto 4:00 of this video.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaYFLb8WMGM&"]Jeep Grand Cherokee moose test -- the full story - YouTube[/ame]

But then... The 86 didn't do a very good job!

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aIcvFJM4DU"]Toyota GT 86 fails moose test - YouTube[/ame]