Date:         Wed, 15 Oct 1997 23:29:36 -0700
Reply-To:     Austin <austins@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Austin <austins@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Subject:      Vanagon smacked from behind
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>
><<I was sitting at a traffic light waiting to turn left.  The light turned
>green and I pulled forward a couple feet but stopped to let the guy
>opposite my position come across as he was going straight and I left, so
>he had the right of way.  All of a sudden SMACK, from the rear.  The guy
>behind me had apparently not noticed that I was no longer moving forward
>and he hit the Vanagon.
>
>Luckily he wasn't going fast when he hit me, as he was stopped behind me
>at the light.  Also luckily I didn't have my foot securely on the brakes
>or else the impact damage would have been worse, but since the wheels
>were somewhat free to roll, much of the impact energy was expended
>moving my van forward instead of crunching the rear up.>>
>
>
>Orrrrr, shoving it forward - into oncoming traffic ! ! ! !  The secret
being to keep your wheels/vehicle pointed straight ahead until you are
actually making the turn;  if your wheels are pointing left you're going to
shoot left, even with the brakes on if hit hard enough.
>
>Austin
>