A first time for everything (adventures in commuting)

I commute to work about 30 miles each night, most of it freeway...

I've heard and read about this happening, but last night was the first
time I've seen it in person.

The freeway is 3 lanes heading South. Last night, around 22:20, I was in
the fast lane. Suddenly, a set of headlights appeared coming _towards_
me in the middle lane heading North! I sped up so that the semi that was
in that lane could move over more easily.

It all happened so fast....... but I got clear of it at least.

I don't own a cellphone at this time. I'm sure that several others
called it in.

Very surreal moment.

I think I'll pass on a re-run. ;-/
--
Peace, Om

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"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

"Omelet" <omp_omelet@gmail.com> wrote in message
newsmp_omelet-AEAEFA.12540119122006@news.giganews.com...
>I commute to work about 30 miles each night, most of it freeway...
>
> I've heard and read about this happening, but last night was the first
> time I've seen it in person.
>
> The freeway is 3 lanes heading South. Last night, around 22:20, I was in
> the fast lane. Suddenly, a set of headlights appeared coming _towards_
> me in the middle lane heading North! I sped up so that the semi that was
> in that lane could move over more easily.
>
> It all happened so fast....... but I got clear of it at least.
>
> I don't own a cellphone at this time. I'm sure that several others
> called it in.
>
> Very surreal moment.
>
> I think I'll pass on a re-run. ;-/

My theory is that you were drinking again and it was *you* who was going in
the wrong direction

Omelet wrote:
> I commute to work about 30 miles each night, most of it freeway...

Same here. Carlisle to Harrisburg, PA via 81.

> I've heard and read about this happening, but last night was the first
> time I've seen it in person.
>
> The freeway is 3 lanes heading South. Last night, around 22:20, I was in
> the fast lane. Suddenly, a set of headlights appeared coming _towards_
> me in the middle lane heading North! I sped up so that the semi that was
> in that lane could move over more easily.
>
> It all happened so fast....... but I got clear of it at least.
>
> I don't own a cellphone at this time. I'm sure that several others
> called it in.
>
> Very surreal moment.
>
> I think I'll pass on a re-run. ;-/

Just read your aftermath or follow-up post elsewhere.

I frequently drive by accidents on 81 that have, apparently, just
happened. Once while driving home, three Army servicemembers attempted
an ill-advised pass and wound up in the median facing the opposite
direction. But the weirdest or most surreal moment for me was coming
upon an overturned car. Wheels were up and spinning and a shoe was
resting in the middle of the highway. Other motorists had stopped, so I
kept on driving but I must have just missed the unfortunate action.

I've never encountered anything as frightening, however, as you
describe, though, Om.

Again, glad to read that you were spared.

--
Curt

On Tue, 19 Dec 2006 12:54:01 -0600, Omelet <omp_omelet@gmail.com>
wrote:

>I commute to work about 30 miles each night, most of it freeway...
>
>I've heard and read about this happening, but last night was the first
>time I've seen it in person.
>
>The freeway is 3 lanes heading South. Last night, around 22:20, I was in
>the fast lane. Suddenly, a set of headlights appeared coming _towards_
>me in the middle lane heading North! I sped up so that the semi that was
>in that lane could move over more easily.
>
>It all happened so fast....... but I got clear of it at least.
>
>I don't own a cellphone at this time. I'm sure that several others
>called it in.
>
>Very surreal moment.
>
>I think I'll pass on a re-run. ;-/
I've read the follow-up detailing the outcome. I'm glad you weren't
hurt.

About 15 years ago my (now)ex-wife and a friend were heading south
down the Interstate during the middle fo the day.

Traffic started to all move to the slower of the two lanes and just as
the ex did a little old lady passed her and her friend going north.

There was nothing on the news about an accident, so it looks like
everyone got away from this episode OK. We theorized the lady was just
old and confused.

In article <1166586307.171595.6840@n67g2000cwd.googlegroups.c om>,
"Curt" <curtjames@gmail.com> wrote:

> Omelet wrote:
> > I commute to work about 30 miles each night, most of it freeway...
>
> Same here. Carlisle to Harrisburg, PA via 81.
>
> > I've heard and read about this happening, but last night was the first
> > time I've seen it in person.
> >
> > The freeway is 3 lanes heading South. Last night, around 22:20, I was in
> > the fast lane. Suddenly, a set of headlights appeared coming _towards_
> > me in the middle lane heading North! I sped up so that the semi that was
> > in that lane could move over more easily.
> >
> > It all happened so fast....... but I got clear of it at least.
> >
> > I don't own a cellphone at this time. I'm sure that several others
> > called it in.
> >
> > Very surreal moment.
> >
> > I think I'll pass on a re-run. ;-/
>
> Just read your aftermath or follow-up post elsewhere.

It was pretty tragic.
I'm betting in a brittle diabetic rather than a drunk personally.

We've been getting an unbelievable number of diabetics to the Er over
the past two weeks, altho' last night was tons of cba females with
abdominal pain. Weird. I just hate those Icon pregnancy tests but that
is a standard part of abdominal pain workups. <sigh>

>
> I frequently drive by accidents on 81 that have, apparently, just
> happened. Once while driving home, three Army servicemembers attempted
> an ill-advised pass and wound up in the median facing the opposite
> direction. But the weirdest or most surreal moment for me was coming
> upon an overturned car. Wheels were up and spinning and a shoe was
> resting in the middle of the highway. Other motorists had stopped, so I
> kept on driving but I must have just missed the unfortunate action.

Or missed being involved in it. That's what scares me. It was toooo
close.

>
> I've never encountered anything as frightening, however, as you
> describe, though, Om.
>
> Again, glad to read that you were spared.

So am I, thanks! Knocking on wood, it's been 19 years since my last CVA
and it was a typical 4 way intersection screw up.
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

In article <6kkio2do5t4s65l6vr105pi88umgmt3tpi@4ax.com>, d wells wrote:

> On Tue, 19 Dec 2006 12:54:01 -0600, Omelet <omp_omelet@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >I commute to work about 30 miles each night, most of it freeway...
> >
> >I've heard and read about this happening, but last night was the first
> >time I've seen it in person.
> >
> >The freeway is 3 lanes heading South. Last night, around 22:20, I was in
> >the fast lane. Suddenly, a set of headlights appeared coming _towards_
> >me in the middle lane heading North! I sped up so that the semi that was
> >in that lane could move over more easily.
> >
> >It all happened so fast....... but I got clear of it at least.
> >
> >I don't own a cellphone at this time. I'm sure that several others
> >called it in.
> >
> >Very surreal moment.
> >
> >I think I'll pass on a re-run. ;-/
> I've read the follow-up detailing the outcome. I'm glad you weren't
> hurt.

Thanks. It all happened so fast, I'm just glad I had the instinct to
speed up so the semi on my left fender could get behind me out of the
center lane.

>
> About 15 years ago my (now)ex-wife and a friend were heading south
> down the Interstate during the middle fo the day.
>
> Traffic started to all move to the slower of the two lanes and just as
> the ex did a little old lady passed her and her friend going north.
>
> There was nothing on the news about an accident, so it looks like
> everyone got away from this episode OK. We theorized the lady was just
> old and confused.

Indeed.

If there is time, the cops will run in really quick and kill the freeway
altogether, closing it until the wrong way car can be stopped.

Unfortunately, they were not quick enough this time.

The driver of the other vehicle was airlifted. I've not heard how he's
fared yet.
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson

In article <omp_omelet-3C13ED.09293520122006@news.giganews.com>,
Omelet <omp_omelet@gmail.com> wrote:

> So am I, thanks! Knocking on wood, it's been 19 years since my last CVA
> and it was a typical 4 way intersection screw up.

Ugh.

Make that "MVA"...
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson