Just like in the Movies........

[JPMINITUCSON]

Last weekend, Patty and I saw National Treasure Book of Secrets on the big screen. While not as satisfying as the original, there was a scene where Nick Cage is dodging beer kegs as they roll off the back of a truck.

We had a similar experience on the way to work yesterday.

Westbound on River Rd between Sabino Canyon Rd and Craycroft (it's a roller coaster 2 lane road), a plumbing truck pulled into the center turn lane to make a left turn across our lane. As he stopped to make the turn, several section of 6" x 16' PVC drainage pipe flew off the top rack of the truck and headed directly for us. One was headed straight toward the windshield, the other made a 90 degree turn in mid air.

What would YOU do?

A) Speed Up..let one fly overhead and take a body shot with the second
B) Lock'em up and hopefully stop short.
C) Handbrake spin turn, go home and remove brown spot from pants.
D) Turn slightly to the left so the wife takes the hit.
E) Other...

[goozzard]

Option C sounds best to me. A little poop stain is easier and cheaper to clean than body repair (vehicle and personal). Sorry to hear about the wayward PVC pipe.

[deemotored]

I think my instinct would be the lock up the brakes thing.

[AZMINIS]

' D ' for sure. So finish the story, what happened?

---------
Jeff

[Louie B.]

Whatever option that would make sure whatever damage is done is enough to list the car as 'totalled'. I'd rather replace than repair.

[Carey934]

I'd speed up and hope it flew over me...

[JPMINITUCSON]

Answer: A & B

I sped up, turned to the right missing the first pipe. Hit the brakes and ran over one end of the second pipe with the front left wheel as it dropped to the ground missing the fender.

No one was hurt. Just a little piece of white pvc stuck to a bolt head underneath. Alignment seems fine. All systems OK. It's going on the lift tomorrow to take a better look. I'm sure I took a good 10,000 miles off the pads.

The truck driver didn't have an insurance card, but called his wife for the information. He was not the smartest bird in the flock. When I asked him why he didn't tie down his load, he said with this type of roof rack it wasn't necessary. DOH! I pointed to the pipes laying scattered in the road.

Which leads to another question: Has anyone taken any of the Bondurant classes? Do they cover this sort of situation?

[danjmcs]

Which leads to another question: Has anyone taken any of the Bondurant classes? Do they cover this sort of situation?

Yep, their defensive driving classes cover this exact sort of thing. The class they call "Highway Survival".
http://www.bondurant.com/courses/highwaysurvival.php

The one I too a few years ago was the "Performance Driving Experience", way fun 5 hours.

Glad it sounds like you did a pretty good job already to avoid any damage to yourselves or your Mini though!