Was transporting a couple of hot rods on my rig a few years ago around Oklahoma City, somewhere up ahead a vehicle lost one of those aluminum extension ladders that was sticking out into my lane. Vehicles were swerving all over the three lanes going in my direction attempting to miss itand each other. Obviously, my rig doesn't handle like a Porsche. I saw the ladder and was taking measures to miss it but, the guy in the next lane apparently wasn't paying attention. He hit one end of it causing it to spin or rotate across my lane. No way I was going to miss it. Decision time. Try to brake and possibly have it roll up under the truck/trailer or throttle down and take my chances hoping I could roll over it.
I decided to throttle down. Twas a bumpy encounter but, I hit it around 50 mph and bounced both truck and trailer over it. Which resulted in the ladder going several directions. Worked my way to the emergency lane to inspect for any damage. I got lucky, several folks were not so lucky. LEOs showed up as I was finishing up checking things out. Several vehicles had damage. Traffic was backing up like crazy. The officer asked me if everything was I OK, told him it appeared so. He asked me if I knew what vehicle had lost the ladder, told him no. He recommended that I get back in my rig and move on. There was one hell of a mess behind me. I did as requested and continued on my journey. I can only imagine what would have happened had I been on my Valkyrie. It would not have been pretty.....
All I'm gonna say is, secure your freek'n loads. Not doing so could get someone killed.
Edited: My Weekend Journey
I've traveled this country from North to South, East to West. Thought I'd seen the best and worst but, I got a whole new insight into aggressive and discourteous drivers this weekend. I really try to avoid some areas of Chicago, Detroit, Dallas/Ft Worth and Houston, Kansas City, Denver, bigger cities, etc.......
But, I can never control the destination, I have to go where ever the customer wants their ride delivered.
This weekend I had to deliver a vehicle to downtown Washington DC, near Georgetown. It was a nightmare. Don't care how much it pays, will not take another vehicle there. Got forced to take other routes because, jerks would not let me change lanes (seen this many times before but, never like this). Got forced onto an off ramp that had flashing signs NO TRUCKS ALLOWED, each situation leading to a more challenging situation trying to maneuver through extremely heavy aggressive traffic with those same discourteous drivers. By the time I got to where the customer wanted to meet me, I was at the point of calling him and telling him to come find me. What really amazes me is, people seem to believe that showing a little common courtesy and letting someone else change lanes in front of them will somehow impede their progress getting wherever. Can't tell you how many folks tried to take the front of my truck off or offered themselves up for sacrifice to my front bumper by cutting in and not giving me room to do anything but emergency brake............. And Yes, I do try to be a courteous driver and let folks merge.........
I fully realize everyone has somewhere they are trying to get to but, my lord there's a bunch of asswipes driving around DC. Next time, if there is a next time, the customer will agree to meet me out side the belt way or, he'll get someone else to bring the vehicle to him.
OK, I feel better now. Rant Over.
