Close call on Highway 115

Columnist OK but his new car is damaged after plow dumps snow off overpass onto him

A couple of weeks ago I was driving down the 115 to go to Toronto to be a guest lecturer at The Ontario Institute in Studies in Education. I had just gotten my new car an oil change plus a car wash and was proud of my car as I drove along. I was excited about meeting a new class of Masters degree students and sharing insights about the wonderful college system we have in Ontario.

The previous few days it had snowed, then light rain had frozen on top thus making a solid ice crust on the top of the snow. More snow had then fallen on top of that. I know this because I had a tough time clearing my drive that morning. But this day it was bright and clear as I drove south at the speed limit as I had lots of time to get downtown.

As I approached the Bethany overpass I noticed a snowplow on my left starting over the bridge, throwing a lot of debris over the railing. I had a Ford F150 pickup truck passing me on my left and a car very close behind. I tried to slow but was fearful of the car behind me hitting me from the rear. I thought the snowplow would slow as it proceeded across the bridge but it did not do so.

It was like everything was in slow motion as I saw that the snowplow was propelling large amounts over the overpass railing and onto my lane on the 115. I could not go left or slow down so I just hoped it was light snow. It was not! I closed my eyes at the last second as the debris hit my hood and window. There was this terrible crash and my mirror came flying off the windshield. When I opened my eyes there was a hole punched in the windshield and a million cracks radiating out from it. By then we were coming out the other side of the bridge and the pickup truck had sped ahead and kept going. Fortunately I had stayed in my lane, going straight forward. The car behind had veered left to miss me and took off. The snowplow was long gone as I pulled to the side of the road. I came to a stop. Figured out that I personally was physically OK but my new car was not.

Over the next few days I had my hood repaired and my windshield replaced. I paid my insurance company my $500 dollars and the car looked good again.

But as I recalled this incident to my wife and friends they said “You could have been killed.” And they were right. I was lucky. It could have been the defining moment and that could have been it. My friends were angry and asked if I had reported the truck to the police or call the county because obviously they were responsible. I did neither. I guess I was in a bit of shock on the day of the incident. Since then I have felt relief and a sense that I missed the magic bullet.

For me it is more of one of those times when what I want to do is say thanks to my wife for being such a loving caring person. My kids for bringing us joy. My friends and colleagues for such a great journey. I recently visited the college campus and was moved by the hugs from the staff in the registrar’s office, the shout out hello from a cafeteria staff member, the inquisitive questions from the marketing staff about how things were back in my day, and the friendly smiles and welcome in the President’s office. Great memories and gratefulness for those who made those times and my life special.

I have been granted a little more time to live and share life’s experiences.

I hope the truck driver or those responsible in the county for road maintenance will hear this message and talk about how not just to clear the roads but to do it in a safe way for those of us travelling about. It is just not the surface of the road that needs to be cared for but also those put in jeopardy by the very act of cleaning the roads.

I thank them for clearing our roads. But will be very cautious the next time I see a road truck passing over my head. As my old hockey coaches used to say, keep your head up - especially as you cross the blue line!