Analysis - Hard Braking Incident

[1/2%er]

I just recently had a hard braking incident.  I am doing a bit of self analysis here, and welcome any other thoughts.  The below of course happened much faster than what I can put into words.


I was traveling in moderately heavy morning commuter traffic on a two lane road.  The road connects two large towns/small cities.

The road is unfortunately littered with both private drives and business drives.  Speed limit is 50-55 MPH depending upon the section dropping down to 45 MPH when you are close to either city.

I was approximately midway between the cities following a car with somewhere between a 1 and 2 second gap  the car behind was MUCH closer.  A car in the oncoming lane was stopped and waiting for a gap in traffic.  He pulled out directly into the path of the car I was following (There was a rise in the road which prevented perfect visibility for either car).  Car in front of me does slam on brakes because I remember seeing the lights,  but hit the left turning car after the car had pulled about 2/3 across (hit back of back door and trunk.  

I began to apply brakes quite firmly.  At the same time I checked my rear view mirrors, pulled in the clutch and dropped down a couple of gears (6th to fourth).  

I could tell the car behind me was braking but was also catching up to me fast!  Letting off the brake would send me into the crash going on in front of me and not letting off the brake would make me a hood ornament at best, and a sandwich at worst.

Oncoming traffic was stopping if not already at a standstill, so I let off the brake and dove left aiming for a gap created by the crash and oncoming traffic avoiding the crash.   I started reapplying the brake and could have come to a stop abreast of the crash scene, but instead just slowed to 10-15 and slipped through the gap and back to the empty lane beyond the crash.

Thoughts:

1. I should have made up for the tailgaters lack of space by making more space up front.  Incidently the car behind me did manage to stop before the crash, but there was little more than a car length between them.

2. I was proud of my initial reaction.  I have made it a habit - or muscle memory reaction - to check my mirror EVERY time I brake whether it is hard braking or just coming up on a red light.  The gear dropping was from parking lot drills - that a I still do after 24 years of riding.

3. I am not sure how much of my diving left and getting around the crash had to do with actually measuring up the incident and reacting appropriately (as I described) or was just an avoidance of the primary incident mixed with a little luck that the left was free.  I probably could not have dived right as that would have been across the whole lane and into the incident itself.  Post incident I believed I thought through the decisions - but recognized the reactions were largely faster than normal processing.

4. I was lucky.  Now, I do not believe in dumb luck, I believe in smart luck.  Training, and proper habits helped me to react the correct way, and I was lucky lots of other small things did not go wrong that could have made me involved in the crash such as the driver behind me being even closer at the start, car directly ahead of me did not get pushed way out to the left cutting off that egress, clear road (no oil, debris, etc.)

Thoughts are welcome.  Positive and negative.

[chornbe]

4. I was lucky.  Now, I do not believe in dumb luck, I believe in smart luck.  Training, and proper habits helped me to react the correct way, and I was lucky lots of other small things did not go wrong that could have made me involved in the crash such as the driver behind me being even closer at the start, car directly ahead of me did not get pushed way out to the left cutting off that egress, clear road (no oil, debris, etc.)

 

[mlinkibikr]

I think your analysis was spot on. Yes - if you are bing tailgated you should slow down a bit to increase the gap in front.  But your situational awareness saved your bacon. Good job!

[bomber]

+1 on smart luck -- sounds to me like you did the best you could given the situation -- and your best was just fine!

In many areas, including my general neighborhood, if you increase the amount of space in front of you, said space fills instantly with other vehicles . . . . . I know that might not necessarily be the case in your scenario, but, sometimes, following the "rules" or guidelines simply isn't practical.

Well done, and huzzah for being able to ask the question!

[1/2%er]

In many areas, including my general neighborhood, if you increase the amount of space in front of you, said space fills instantly with other vehicles

AGREE! You might have noticed  I said the road is littered with drives.  Leave too much space and someone is going to try and use it to get on the road.  I do try to be judicious with space but it's a losing battle when everyone else does not give a crap.

[Dan K]

Sounds about right - you handled it as well as could be expected and most importantly kept the rubber side down with no impacts.  Sounds like you are second guessing yourself just to be sure, but it sounds like you did good.  I never enjoy those close calls, and wonder whether I was smart lucky or just saved by dumb luck.  Smart luck every time.  (Tho dumb luck aint so bad either...)

- Dan

[Rusty the Scoob]

Sounds like you handled it perfectly to me, you had some luck on your side and made the most of it.  Nice work!

[antvq]

Post incident I believed I thought through the decisions - but recognized the reactions were largely faster than normal processing.

Don't sell yourself short.  I have found in any situation that requires that panicked "oh shit I'm about to die" thinking, that your brain can keep up just fine.

Good job on seeing the available avenue of escape and having the skills to take it.  

[OrangeSVS]

I'd say it's just about text book.

One thing I would suggest considering though is a "war mode". You feel like you're being squeezed into a tight spot, immediately drop a couple of gears ahead of time. I don't like 6th gear in tight spots, ever.

It's exactly these situations why I prefer 2-finger braking exclusively.... In your position it was fine to keep on the throttle while riding down the highway... (I mean who can really slow down for EVERYTHING that could POSSIBLY happen? If we did that, we'd just be parked on the side of the road all of the time...), but at the same time, being able to cover the brakes is huge.

[1/2%er]

I'd say it's just about text book.

One thing I would suggest considering though is a "war mode". You feel like you're being squeezed into a tight spot, immediately drop a couple of gears ahead of time. I don't like 6th gear in tight spots, ever.

It's exactly these situations why I prefer 2-finger braking exclusively.... In your position it was fine to keep on the throttle while riding down the highway... (I mean who can really slow down for EVERYTHING that could POSSIBLY happen? If we did that, we'd just be parked on the side of the road all of the time...), but at the same time, being able to cover the brakes is huge.

I was probably actually in fifth.  I never check the gear indicator, I check my revs- I was in top gear for that road, and upon reflection I can not remember ever being in 6th on that road so fifth was probably the top gear.  (Not that - that makes a huge difference).

I do two finger the brake in most situations (keep two fingers on brakes at all times).  I was doing so here.  

[scottzilla]

You went for the escape route.  Nothing wrong with that!

[Espada]

Your story serves as a fine example of what smart riding can do for you when the brown stuff hits the fan.  I wish you continued safe travels  

[thatguy]

Sounds like a pucker moment. However good habits and sound riding kept it at that. Good job. Funny how scary stuff that happens very fast burns itself into memory so well the recall is total.

[fastdadio]

Taking this down to the basics. Target fixation. You didn't do it! You found your escape, executed the manouver, and pulled it off. Glad we get to read your story today. Hug and kiss your babies babies tonight.

[JNUNZMAN]

Your body reacted by doing exactly what it needed to do to save your bacon. Good job....
We can all look back at pucker moments to see if the reaction was "spot on" or needed room for improvement.
I had a deer run out of the woods on Sunday in "panic mode" and spotted it just as it exited the forest ahead of me and to my right which then led to 70 feet of field. Looking back, I instinctively was on the brakes as soon as I saw the deer come out of the woods. I knew that by the way she was running that she would continue at full speed and cross in front of me. She did. My instinctive reaction saved me from a "venison incident", much like your reaction saved yours by doing the right thing subconsciously.
Little things that we do like riding with your fingers on the brake lever, covering the clutch with a few fingers save a moment or two which translates to a quicker reaction and more pavement to do it in.

[Kneescrubber]

Taking this down to the basics. Target fixation. You didn't do it! You found your escape, executed the manouver, and pulled it off. Glad we get to read your story today. Hug and kiss your babies babies tonight.

Bingo! One of the hardest things to not do. You did great.

[Snowbird]

You're one lucky guy. Not for the incident, but because the STN riding whizzes are not critiquing your every move.... yet. 

[chornbe]

You're one lucky guy. Not for the incident, but because the STN riding whizzes are not critiquing your every move.... yet. 

he didn't die

he didn't "lay 'er down"

he kept a cool head

he wins

[riverbound51]

Sounds like you did exactly what you should do.  Avoided the accident, removed yourself from the potential problem behind you as well.

If I am reading your post correctly.  In Motor School, we practiced this exact manuever for exactly what you just posted.  It's called the "40 decel" in which you reduce your speed in a very short distance and then ride away from or around the problem, rather than stopping and possibly getting hit from behind!

[boogeyman]

Well, you coulda kicked a mirror off on the way by the crashed cars, if you'd been thinking a little faster.  But, all in all, not to shabby.