Thank you stranger.
I know most of us had a terrible time last night, and I was just another one of the many. I didn’t leave work until after 6, hoping that would help. Instead of driving on main roads to get home, I choose to avoid traffic and take my usual, faster route on back roads.
Unfortunately, once I got on them, I realized I was f**cked. The backroads are rougher, and they are rounded - the middle of the road is higher than either side, which meant I kept sliding into the ditch. There is a part of the road that is an s-curve down a slight hill, no way I could handle that, so I decided to get back on the main road.
As I was creeping up to 86th street, which was perpendicular from the street I was on, I realized there was no way I could stop before I needed to turn right. The road dipped slightly down to meet 86th, and even if I was stopped, the weight of the car on the ice would cause me to slide into traffic. Completely panicking but having no other choice, I continued my 2mph creep into oncoming traffic. I put my right turn signal on long before I was near the intersection. An older woman pulling up looked over and realized what was happening, AND THANK YOU BABY JESUS, was savvy enough to stop before the intersection, giving me room.
My slow creep continued and I actually slid right into the available space between her and the car in front of her. Never in my life have I wanted to get out of my car and kiss another motorist, but I came pretty close at that moment. I cheerfully waved to her and blessed her and her kin.
I'm sure not many people were so lucky to be saved by other people's smarts last night, but there are good, kind drivers out there. Even of the old lady variety.
Unfortunately, once I got on them, I realized I was f**cked. The backroads are rougher, and they are rounded - the middle of the road is higher than either side, which meant I kept sliding into the ditch. There is a part of the road that is an s-curve down a slight hill, no way I could handle that, so I decided to get back on the main road.
As I was creeping up to 86th street, which was perpendicular from the street I was on, I realized there was no way I could stop before I needed to turn right. The road dipped slightly down to meet 86th, and even if I was stopped, the weight of the car on the ice would cause me to slide into traffic. Completely panicking but having no other choice, I continued my 2mph creep into oncoming traffic. I put my right turn signal on long before I was near the intersection. An older woman pulling up looked over and realized what was happening, AND THANK YOU BABY JESUS, was savvy enough to stop before the intersection, giving me room.
My slow creep continued and I actually slid right into the available space between her and the car in front of her. Never in my life have I wanted to get out of my car and kiss another motorist, but I came pretty close at that moment. I cheerfully waved to her and blessed her and her kin.
I'm sure not many people were so lucky to be saved by other people's smarts last night, but there are good, kind drivers out there. Even of the old lady variety.