Yesterday was a day that could have ended badly twice.

Sue and I were returning from Salisbury after our almost weekly visit.

We were driving along the Wylye Valley on a minor road running parallel with the main A36 between Wilton and Warminster. It was 3:30 in the afternoon and I was driving cautiously as it has many sharp bends. I was coming towards a right handed that drops down and anticipating a car coming the other way. Sure enough a car came the other way on the bend but made no effort to avoid me despite the narrowness of the road and the fact that it was more on my side of the road. I had no alternative but to drive into the verge on my side.

At this point the other car jammed on it's anchors and stopped alongside. We had missed by inches. I was confused and very, very angry but just sat there unwillingly to look at the other driver for fear of going into total 'road rage mode'. At this point Sue recovering composure advised me that the driver was mouthing the words 'I am so sorry' It was obvious to Sue that the female driver had been looking at a cottage on my side of the road as she came round the corner and was totally distracted. According to Sue she had children in her car and was on a school run meaning she lived locally and would know the road well. Having mouthed her apology she drove off leaving me to wait a good 10 seconds before driving off.

Queue 10 minutes later when we were driving out of Warminster with a white van 30 yards in front of us. All of a sudden a sheet of chipboard held on by bungee cords took off from the van's roof and landed directly in front of us. I stopped, put on my hazards holding up traffic behind me whilst the van driver got out, waved apologetically and collected his load.

I have never been so happy to get home safely.

scooter

I’m glad you are both OK…the car too.

They walk among us! Driving into Norwich the other day I was cut up by a lane weaver trying to gain a 5 second advantage at the lights. No harm done, but honestly!

Glad you and Sue are okay, and your car too, but be extra careful when you go out next time scooter.

These things, like London Buses, come in threes.

Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk

I’m glad to hear there was no bad ending to the story and that everyone is OK. In both cases, things could have ended far worse!

In situations like this, I try to take some small comfort when the other driver can acknowledge their actions and offer up an apology. I know when I’m in the wrong, I try to take ownership of it and apologize.

Again,glad you are unharmed.
My advice to you (and all) is get a dash cam,front and rear,then if the worst happens and contact is made ,you have the evidence.

Wow, 2 very close calls within a short time of each other. Thankfully you got home safely and all are ok and hopefully the other 2 parties have learnt a lesson particularly the lady with children in the car losing concentration on a tight road.

With you having to turn into the verge have you since found scratch damage to your car's paintwork as modern paint seems quite soft in some colours and finishes?

I had to look up verge. For my follow Americans, it’s the shoulder.

Glad to hear that you are both OK. A couple of near misses.

Neil

DavidCM wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 4:49 pm Again,glad you are unharmed.
My advice to you (and all) is get a dash cam,front and rear,then if the worst happens and contact is made ,you have the evidence.

Thanks David. There is an onboard dash cam but it's very temperamental.

scooter

Mikkei4 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 4:49 pm With you having to turn into the verge have you since found scratch damage to your car's paintwork as modern paint seems quite soft in some colours and finishes?

Good point. It looks like we were lucky.

scooter

Glad to hear you're ok scooter - a near miss isn't any fun, but better than the alternative!

See a lot of that kind of thing over here in Ireland. The general standard of driving is very poor. There's a loophole in the learner system where people can drive on a learner permit for years and years without sitting a test for a full license. Per head of population has one of the highest rates of road fatalities anywhere. Probably also goes some way to explaining the crazy car insurance prices.

Des

Glad you’re both ok scooter - you kept out of trouble because of your good driving.

scooter wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 1:26 pm chipboard held on by bungee cords…

This beggars belief

Sorry to read of your incidents, scooter, but I'm glad no lasting damage was done to either of you or to the car. I recommend you buy a lottery ticket this week. And take extra care, mate.

Jings!! I'd be looking for another potential calamity to avoid as I often think these things run in threes but you've had two and, to borrow from Meatloaf, "Two outta three ain't bad."