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Check your brakes

Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:56 pm
by Profister
I was driving back home approaching Second Narrows bridge westbound when I spotted an aluminum ladder flying towards me :shock: ; the gardening pickup truck ahead of me lost it. I was in the "slow" lane with a merging lane and some traffic on the right speeding at 100 km/h. The emergency braking was as entertaining as a good action movie episode: I was swinging all over the road. After slowing down I stopped by the pickup truck to express myself to the ladder owner :twisted: and came back home safe and sound. Verdict: check your brakes and make the appropriate adjustments/repairs. This is my plan anyway. How many of you have tested your brakes?
Drive safe and be aware of flying objects.
Sergiy.

Re: Check your brakes

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:31 am
by delicat
I would have just kept on going and CRUSHED that stupid ladder! :twisted:

Re: Check your brakes

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:25 am
by Profister
I wish that was an option but crushing a 10-foot aluminum extension ladder flying above the ground might end a bit differently. :cry:

Re: Check your brakes

Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:17 am
by Erebus
In Calgary, the Deerfoot Trail (major expressway north-south) is littered with ladders. There appears to be a bylaw that forbid having loads tied down when driving the Deerfoot. I've called 911 about 1/2 dozen times for junk on the roadway.

(Calgary drivers: dial 911 and say you have a "haz 70 on the Deerfoot (or Crowchild or Glenmore)" which means "hazard on an over-70 km/h roadway". They'll send out the Fire Department and roads.)

A buddy of mine has about a dozen ladders he's picked up from the road.

The absurdest call I've heard on the fire dispatch radio was for a circular staircase on the road.

In other words, Calgary drivers have to be experienced in slalom driving.