The other day I was driving from Terrace to Smithers. The sun was shining, the roads were dry—it was a beautiful day for a drive. I had my two young daughters in the back seat and everything was going smoothly.
I was following a truck, keeping a safe distance between our vehicles. We were moving along at about 100 km/hr just before Hazelton when, out of nowhere, the truck veered sharply to the right and nearly into the ditch. In the same instant, I found myself staring at a car coming straight at me in my lane, going the wrong way.
I didn’t even have time to think. I followed the truck off the road, steering onto the gravel shoulder and then into the grassy ditch. I’m incredibly thankful that part of the highway was edged with grass, and not a cliff or something else that could have made things worse.
My heart was pounding and my hands were shaking. I’ve never been that close to a crash, especially a head-on collision. If I’d been glancing at the radio, or checking the rear view mirror, that might have been it. That split second was all I had to get out of the way.
I assume the little white car had pulled into the wrong lane to pass someone, but it happened so fast I can’t say for sure.
It took me half an hour to stop shaking. My six-year-old daughter, sitting in the back, decided that next time we go to Terrace, we’re taking the train. It really was that scary.
When I got home, I told my husband what had happened. He asked if I called the police. I didn’t, and I now realise I probably should have. It all happened so quickly, and I didn’t get a good look at the car. At the time, I just wanted to get home and try to forget it.
But I keep thinking about it. What was the rush? What could be so important that someone would drive that dangerously? That driver forced at least two vehicles off the highway in a matter of seconds. It could have ended much worse. We were all incredibly lucky.
Please—slow down. Drive with more care. If you’re travelling Highway 16, or any highway, make safe choices. Pass only when it’s truly safe. It’s not worth the risk.
