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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!we13!ihnp4!ihldt!dbg
From: dbg@ihldt.UUCP (dbg)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: default: apply brakes
Message-ID: <2341@ihldt.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 28-Apr-84 13:22:23 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihldt.2341
Posted: Sat Apr 28 13:22:23 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 29-Apr-84 07:34:51 EDT
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 27



I agree that applying brakes in a panic is seldom appropriate.
But if I am to make an error in judgement (happens to the best
of us) I prefer to SLOW DOWN while doing so.  I believe that
the default reaction should be braking.  Hopefully we never
(as drivers) have to resort to the default, and, even more
hopefully, we NEVER panic behind the wheel.  

case study:  Once while hauling a boat I attempted to pass another
	car hauling a boat.  As I pulled into the oncoming lane and
	got beside the duo I was passing I realized that oncoming
	traffic was a little too close to finish the pass (car and 
	boat weren't quick and agile enough).  I applied the brakes 
	to fall back into my lane.  The driver of the car-boat I
	was passing decided to brake at the same time to allow me
	to complete the pass.  There we were side by side both
	applying our brakes now with great vigor.  In my judgement
	I HAD to continue to brake.  I could not be sure that the
	other driver would sense the impass and begin accelerating
	at the same time I tried to re-attempt the pass.  At that
	point I was left only with the default -- BRAKE.

Fortuneately the oncoming traffic was not that close and we had time
to resolve the situation.

				ihldt!dbg