Unusual Hazard

[DebW]

I was driving my car to work this morning (since I had a fever yesterday and don't trust it to not come back) when a truck loaded with tree limbs approached from the other direction. This was a very tall truck but the tree limbs were above the top of the truck. Just as I was passing the truck, the truck went under a tree whose limbs where lower than than limbs piled on the truck. Limbs got knocked off the truck and one landed on my windshield. I really expected that limb to come right through my windshield, but it bounded off instead. Not even a crack in my windshield, just a big smear of sap. But... if I'd been on my bike, what might have happened? I probably would have missed a direct blow from the limb since I would have been towards the side of the road, but it could have bounced into my spokes.

[KnottedYet]

That is scarey, Deb!

[mimitabby]

In washington we have a law on the books which makes it a serious offense to have unsecured stuff on your vehicle. A lady got brained a couple years ago because some guy lost his load in front of her. She survived with multiple broken bones and now she is permanently blind.
She was also in a car.

[Lise]

Ho-lee cow. Horrifying. Glad you're OK, Deb.

[Eden]

In washington we have a law on the books which makes it a serious offense to have unsecured stuff on your vehicle. A lady got brained a couple years ago because some guy lost his load in front of her. She survived with multiple broken bones and now she is permanently blind.
She was also in a car.

In fact just a few weeks ago a man (in a car) was killed when a filing cabinet fell off of a truck on the interstate and he swerved to avoid it. I think that lead to a stiffening of the penalities or at least more comprehensive enforcement of the law.

[salsabike]

Just yesterday, they charged those guys under this new "Maria's Law" prohibiting unsecured loads. In fact, if any of you see unsecured loads around here, especially on the freeways, I'd call 911 and report it.

[7rider]

I was driving my car to work this morning (since I had a fever yesterday and don't trust it to not come back) when a truck loaded with tree limbs approached from the other direction. This was a very tall truck but the tree limbs were above the top of the truck. Just as I was passing the truck, the truck went under a tree whose limbs where lower than than limbs piled on the truck. Limbs got knocked off the truck and one landed on my windshield. I really expected that limb to come right through my windshield, but it bounded off instead. Not even a crack in my windshield, just a big smear of sap. But... if I'd been on my bike, what might have happened? I probably would have missed a direct blow from the limb since I would have been towards the side of the road, but it could have bounced into my spokes.

I thought in MA, it *was* a law that trucks like that must cover their load?
Maybe I'm thinking of New Hampshire. Hmmm....
I had an ex- when I was up there who would rant forever about uncovered trucks.
Anyway, I'm glad you got through unscathed.
p.s. I can show you a chunk missing from my windsheild from a rock that flew from a dumptruck on Route 3 on the south shore.

[GLC1968]

Wow, that's scary, Deb!

I have a friend who lost his car to a ladder that fell off a pickup truck on a highway in NJ. He was lucky in that he was far enough back that it hit the road first...otherwise it might he might have been seriously hurt!