Second most terrifying thing...

[redbluegreenyellow101]

...that happened to me in a car.

I was on a two lane road, speed limit 55. I was going about 60. I look in my rear view mirror, and I see this semi-truck way behind me. A few minutes later, I look again and it's right on my ass. So I sped up just to get some distance between us, because there really isn't anywhere to pull off. So I do that, and it's fine for a few minutes when, once again, this fucking semi-truck is right behind me. And guess what happened next? The car in front of me slowed down suddenly to turn right! (I forgot to mention that I was driving my grandparents' minivan, a car I'm not used to).

I literally saw my life flash before my eyes and I had to swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid a) hitting the car in front of me and b) being smashed by a semi. (Thankfully, no one was coming the opposite way).

I turned shortly after that, getting away from the truck.

I'm getting shaky just thinking about it, and this happened a few days ago.

[Zellie Crescent]

I'm pretty sure I mentioned this elsewhere but, once I had to run a red light to avoid being run over by a truck.

[blas]

Around this time last summer, I was on my way home from work early in the morning and a truck came roaring up my butt and would not pass me. He just got closer and closer until I realized he was either drunk or asleep or just that much of a prick, so I had to get over in the other lane and let him by.

Never been so scared in my life.

[siead_lietrathua]

i dunno. i tend to go about 10 over the limit here. if a transport was being a jerk like that i might just suddenly find myself a law abiding citizen. plus, if the idiot rearends me i can enjoy watching them get their ass reamed by the fuzz for driving like a idiot.
(i drive a pt cruiser, so the back is too high to get underneath a standard transports cab. makes me slightly less phobic about being hit than being in a standard car. and i also know if someones about to rearend you, never break. haha. )

[Mytical]

Yeah, but a semi going a good speed is not something you want to hit you, regardless. Unless you are in a tank (then it still wouldn't be pleasant). Unfortunately there are a few driving just about anything. Buses, Trains, Semi's etc. They get behind that big rig and think themselves invincible, and that everybody will have to 'respect their authoritay!'.

Here have a blanket and some cocoa, calms the nerves. *hands out cocoa and blankets*

[Whiskey]

You should have gotten behind that dickbag and gotten the "Am I Driving Safely?" number. Semis take an extraordinary amount of time to break. A NORMAL car will hit you if they're on your ass, a semi will obliterate you.

[roothorick]

If a semi rear-ends you and shoves you along open highway, you'll probably just need some bodywork, a new bumper and cover, new rear axle at the very worst. That is, of course, assuming you do the right thing, shift to neutral and DON'T BRAKE.

If a semi sandwiches you against another car... you probably won't survive. No matter what you do.

The lesson? If you think the truck driver behind you is asleep, and you have room to spare in front of you, let him hit you. It'll be his fault and he'll pay your repair bill. You don't want to risk running out of room and having to make that choice when there's a car in front of you.

[Whiskey]

The lesson? If you think the truck driver behind you is asleep, and you have room to spare in front of you, let him hit you. It'll be his fault and he'll pay your repair bill. You don't want to risk running out of room and having to make that choice when there's a car in front of you.

why wouldnt you just pull to the side of the road

[roothorick]

why wouldnt you just pull to the side of the road

I guess we're assuming you don't have that option.