I was stoned again while driving a local highway. I had the family with me this time, and they were all rather frightened by this event – and so they should be. There’s a lot of risk involved in being stoned while driving at highway speeds on a dark evening.
Now before you report me to the authorities for reckless endangerment or label me in some disparaging way, let me clearly state that in no way do I condone the practice of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs – legal or illicit. In fact I condemn such activity, and while I may have been “stoned” last night, I was completely sober.
I’m willing to bet that many Auto123.com readers have been stoned behind the wheel while completely sober.
My apology for pushing the “stoned while driving” double entendre a little too far; by now I’m sure you know that I’m referring to a stone striking and damaging my windshield, which can certainly be a frightening event. Sounding like a gunshot, the inexplicable bang while travelling at 100 km/h was quite alarming.
I didn’t see the rock or whatever the flying object was that struck the base of the windshield mid-point between the driver and passenger but it left some pretty damning evidence of its impact. I’m guessing that it was launched by a tractor/trailer unit approximately 100 metres ahead of me.
Often, these rigs have damaged or inadequate mud flaps that fail to prevent debris and other articles from being shot into the air where they become deadly accurate windshield-seeking missiles. Fortunately in my case, the object’s mass/velocity wasn’t sufficient to penetrate the glass and cause injury or something worse.
Nevertheless, there’s expense involved. The windshield on the new 2012 Fusion Hybrid will need replacing. Without knowing with certainty the source of the offending material, I don’t have a claim against anyone for damages. Merry Christmas, Mr. Rothwell.
Now before you report me to the authorities for reckless endangerment or label me in some disparaging way, let me clearly state that in no way do I condone the practice of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs – legal or illicit. In fact I condemn such activity, and while I may have been “stoned” last night, I was completely sober.
I’m willing to bet that many Auto123.com readers have been stoned behind the wheel while completely sober.
My apology for pushing the “stoned while driving” double entendre a little too far; by now I’m sure you know that I’m referring to a stone striking and damaging my windshield, which can certainly be a frightening event. Sounding like a gunshot, the inexplicable bang while travelling at 100 km/h was quite alarming.
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| Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com |
I didn’t see the rock or whatever the flying object was that struck the base of the windshield mid-point between the driver and passenger but it left some pretty damning evidence of its impact. I’m guessing that it was launched by a tractor/trailer unit approximately 100 metres ahead of me.
Often, these rigs have damaged or inadequate mud flaps that fail to prevent debris and other articles from being shot into the air where they become deadly accurate windshield-seeking missiles. Fortunately in my case, the object’s mass/velocity wasn’t sufficient to penetrate the glass and cause injury or something worse.
Nevertheless, there’s expense involved. The windshield on the new 2012 Fusion Hybrid will need replacing. Without knowing with certainty the source of the offending material, I don’t have a claim against anyone for damages. Merry Christmas, Mr. Rothwell.