Re: skillful driving

[Lee Levitt <wheelman@shore.net>]

Audidudi@mindspring.com (Jeffrey J. Goggin) writes:
>With regard to my autocrossing experiences, you're correct, of course ...
>but what about avoiding an accident during normal everyday driving?  Some of
>the most skillful driving I've done *didn't* occur on a racetrack...

:)

Instinct can be a good thing. Saturday afternoon I'm cruising into the
local downtown area with the whole family in the (other) car. Fortunately
my kids (ages 8 and 5) are sitting quietly and not killing one another. All
of a sudden, 10 feet in front of me, or thereabouts, a young kid on a
bicycle jumps out from between two parked cars *directly* into my path.

BRAKE HARD NOW.

Missed kid. Kid seemingly unfazed by very nearly becoming an ornament on
the bull bar on my Rover.

I thank god that I 1) was paying attention, and 2) was able to get on the
brake in a hurry. I wasn't going fast (25), but if I hadn't been watching,
or had hesitated even slightly, the results would have been far different.

Now I wouldn't classify this as skillful driving...luck as much as anything
else...

...and that kid's parents will never know how close they came to losing
their son on Saturday.

I got out and kissed my kids before we started moving again. 

Lee