I thought winter was over. Yes, I know it’s still February,
but after a few days of good roads, I was hopeful. Sadly, this past Tuesday
night I learned winter was not quite finished yet.
As a truck driver for the last twenty-some years, I’ve come
to despise winter. Driving on slick roads every day can get old. Worse yet,
it’s making me old, I think. What hair I have left is turning gray, and whether
it’s accurate or not, I’m blaming the winter driving.
But back to my story. I was almost done with my run, only
about 50 miles to go, when the rain started. The temperature was 27 degrees. I
kept up my speed for a few miles but when the sides of the road began
sparkling, I decided to back it down a little.
I was catching up to another truck and debating on whether
or not to pass. Knowing there was a bridge coming up—a bridge that is
notoriously slick, and built on a curve—I slowed down more and stayed behind
the guy. We were traveling about 30 mph and all was well.
But the car that had been rapidly gaining on us didn’t slow
down. The driver passed us both and pulled back into the right lane. Then about
a half mile ahead, just before he crossed the bridge I saw the brake lights
come on. And that’s when all the fun began.
As the car did a few 360’s in the middle of the freeway, the
other truck and I slowed down as much as we could (without using the brakes).
The car came to a stop right on the dotted line but left us enough room to
squeeze by—barely. We were now moving about 5 mph and that would prove to be
too fast.
I saw the truck in front of me start sliding the moment he
hit the bridge. His trailer turned sideways and he drifted to the left side of
the bridge. At this point, I still had a little control and I moved al the way
to the right, trying to avoid him. But then I crossed onto the bridge and at 5
mph started a slow slide to the left with my trailer fishtailing behind me. And
there wasn’t a thing I could do.
Just to give you a feel for the situation, I’m in a 100,000
lb rig, on a bridge, sliding to the edge, with no control. I couldn’t steer or
accelerate, and I knew better than to hit the brakes. And at this time of year,
I was pretty sure the water below was COLD.
It’s funny how things slow down at times like this. Of
course, at 5 mph, I was barely moving anyway but still... As everything slowed down, I had time to
consider my options, which came down to either: jump out or keep going and hope
for the best. One thing I knew, I most certainly didn’t want to stop. I’d be a
sitting duck when more traffic showed up, which could be at any moment. And
since I didn’t really want to jump out, I kept my foot on the throttle. But
with no traction, that may have been pointless.
I saw the truck in front of me slam into the side of the
bridge and then start sliding the other way. Figuring that was as good a plan
as any, I turned my wheel all the way to the right, hoping the tire stuck out
past the fender. (No need to go smashing up the truck unnecessarily). I wasn’t
sure but it seemed to work and bouncing off the guardrail, I joined the tuck
ahead of me in sliding to the right.
We proceeded all the way across the bridge like that,
bouncing our way to the other side. Thankfully, no other traffic came by. Once
off the bridge, we could get a little traction. By little, I mean we got up to
about 10 mph, then slowly climbed to 15 mph. We couldn’t go any faster. And
that was fine with me. I was no longer in that much of a hurry. Apparently,
neither was the other driver.
Two hours later, I finished my run without any further
incidents. Once the truck was parked, I checked for damage and there was none!
Not even any marks on the tires!
So, all in all, a good night!
Later, I started thinking how the car that wrecked probably
saved me. If I’d hit that bridge at 30 mph, I doubt the flimsy guardrail would
have been much of a hindrance. Most likely, the truck would have plowed right
through it on its way to the river below.
I was already wishing winter was over, and now, more so.
But, this week’s forecast calls for... snow. And more freezing rain. Yay! ~
Bruce
A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey,
Miscarriage Of Justice, The Lana Denae Mysteries, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook at www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS
and
paperback on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million. Bruce A. Borders
is a proud member of Rave Reviews Book Club.
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