Handling saved me from a crash

[SmileyMe]

I was merging on the highway yesterday coming from the right into a lane moving about 60 with stopped traffic to the left and was about 90% into my new lane when a truck (no indicators used) abruptly pulled out from the left. It looked like those silly car commercials where all the logs just fall on the road and the Lexus or whatever has to swerve around it.
I had to swerve back into the right lane in about ~50 feet at ~60 miles an hour but the car handled it like a champ. Once I had merged in front of the no blinker truck 2 different people gave me thumbs up out of their window as they passed.
I honestly don't think any other car I have driven could have moved as fast to the side as I did and honestly I was probably only a few feet (if that) from hitting him even in my BRZ.

[soulreapersteve]

Final Destination - BRZ edition

[jasonojordan]

Ive had this happen to me countless times. That and people that merge into your lane that cant judge speed at all and you are going 20mph or more quicker then they are when they decided to take your lane is the next most common thing I deal with here. In the brz its never a question of can I stop in time its always a question is can the person behind me stop. So when ever I can avoid heavy breaking and go more for the maneuver around them route.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

Final Destination - BRZ edition

Except that in many of our cases the log would have cleared us by inches.

[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.

[mazeroni]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Except that in many of our cases the log would have cleared us by inches.

Forgot one!

[Boomerang]

Originally Posted by SmileyMe

I was merging on the highway yesterday coming from the right into a lane moving about 60 with stopped traffic to the left and was about 90% into my new lane when a truck (no indicators used) abruptly pulled out from the left. It looked like those silly car commercials where all the logs just fall on the road and the Lexus or whatever has to swerve around it.
I had to swerve back into the right lane in about ~50 feet at ~60 miles an hour but the car handled it like a champ. Once I had merged in front of the no blinker truck 2 different people gave me thumbs up out of their window as they passed.
I honestly don't think any other car I have driven could have moved as fast to the side as I did and honestly I was probably only a few feet (if that) from hitting him even in my BRZ.

Testimony
Good work

[WolfpackS2k]

Glad you're okay!

[hypebrz]

Good thing, sad to see crashed Hyperblues, Series.Blues, and RS1's lol


My car in February lol

[Summerwolf]

Situational awareness helps more than anything.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

Situational awareness helps more than anything.

THIS!


Best car in the world will not save your ass if you don't tell it what to do in time.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by jasonojordan

In the brz its never a question of can I stop in time its always a question is can the person behind me stop.

Totally agree. I had this exact situation happen to me a couple of days ago. Made sure to check the rearview was clear before burying the brake pedal.

When there's a car behind me, I'll use up all the space in front to give the driver behind more room to stop.

BTW it always scares me seeing drivers change out of a stopped lane into one where it is flowing. Some drivers can't seem to grasp the speed differential and will pull out from a dead stop into the path of a much faster moving car, often without signaling. It's no wonder there are so many automotive accidents and deaths per year.

[Boomerang]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

THIS!


Best car in the world will not save your ass if you don't tell it what to do in time.

Yup, keep your eyes up and your hands ready

[mdm]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Some drivers can't seem to grasp the speed differential and will pull out from a dead stop into the path of a much faster moving car, often without signaling.

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.