65mph speed limit, plus a 10mph allowable, is a total of 75mph maximum that everybody could do in the freeway. I am talking about California here, particularly in San Jose. I really don't have any idea if other states have different speed limits. I guess what I am trying to say here is I am not generalizing driving in America this time.
Friday, July 13, 2012, I almost got killed in the freeway when somebody cut in front of me out of nowhere and it wasn't even on a merging pavement. Damn. I almost had it there, on Highway 17 on my way to work on a quiet Friday the 13th. There I was cursing and jaw dropped until I pulled in the parking lot at work. It was terrifying, one of those moments when everything slow-mod thinking it was my last.
One thing about driving in America is that, people are really aggressive and they drive unexpectedly, coming from someone who was used to driving in the streets of Davao City, Philippines. Drivers here could really maneuver fast it is crazy! When I saw the half of that car making a left in front of me when I was running 70mph, I didn't have time to react but stepped on my brakes and move left immediately without even looking at the side mirror. I tried to avoid her in front of me and my reaction threw me into a back and forth swerve. I thank heavens so much the road was clear and that saved my life. The vehicles behind me must be thrilled, but not yet, not quite my time I suppose.
Ideally, the driver handbook would tell you that defensive driving means not stepping on your brakes when you are speeding. What I should have done is to ease my foot on the gas and it wouldn't have thrown me in a swerve. You know what they say that there's always a first time? Well I think that was it, I have to disclose that I only started driving in the freeway since we moved to a new place though. Newbie here, a fan of using the back road no matter how long or short the travel is.
The lesson here is clearly to know how to react to certain driving conditions. It is really strictly part of defensive driving. Drive safe everybody!
