Re: __it happens!
Back when I was 17, and about 5 months after completing a driving class thru my highschool, I was telling my younger brother how the drivers ed teacher wouldn't let me drive 1mph over the 'suggested' speed limits you see posted before sharp turns, and how that drove me crazy.
I was telling my brother how they're posted too slow, and to prove it, I drove around a curve at speed. I should note that it's the middle of winter in NY.
In my defense, I exited that corner without issue, but immediately following that turn was a patch of black ice, and with the slush along the side of the road, my car was quickly pulled towards the ditch. The ditch I should mention, was about 4 feet deep, and filled flush to the top with heavy snow.
I figure I hit the snow traveling about 40mph, with the car at about a 45 degree angle to its direction of travel. With the front wheel at opposite lock trying to steer the car, it only acted as a funnel into the wheel well as I impacted the heavy snow in the ditch, packing every free square inch of space under the hood with the stuff.
It was so well packed that it bound up every belt and moving part on the engine, stalling it immediately, and refusing to turn over once I regained my wits.
We climbed out of the car to survey the carnage, and quickly realized I was hopelessly stuck. No shoveling or pushing was going to move this car, but after about 5 minutes of staring at it, with interspersed attempts at waving down cars to help, a schoolbus, just finishing up its afternoon route, pulled over, told me to hang on 5 minutes, drove 100 yards down the road to the bus drivers house, picked up a chain, and hauled me out.
Rather long winded, but I hope entertaining. The point is, the public school system isn't ALL bad.....
