Desert Captain wrote:

We were northbound on Highway 89 between Flagstaff and Page Arizona last Sunday morning. While this stretch of 89 is pretty good road it alternates between 2 and 3 lanes. About 25 miles south of Page southbound it was two lanes with just a double yellow line separating them from the northbound traffic.

Southbound traffic was fairly heavy as we ascended a long grade. I was doing 63 but the southbound sound traffic looked to be traveling at closer to 70+. Suddenly as a large class A approached in his left lane I briefly thought his toad had come loose but quickly realized it was a small mini van attempting to pass over the double yellow lines and completely filling my lane.

There was only about 3' of paved shoulder which quickly dropped off steeply so my options and time remaining were disappearing fast. I jammed on my brakes and thankfully the ABS did it's job seriously slowing my 24' Class C {I was towing a 2,500# 10' Cargo trailer} with no loss of control and I was able to move right to the edge of the shoulder still traveling at more than 40 mph.

Neither the Class A or the moron in the mini van slowed and actually it looked like a death race to see who could get us all killed first. The minivan squeaked by the Class A and started moving back across the double yellows nearly hitting the motorhome and missing my drivers side mirror by less than a foot. Had we all collided another 6 to10 southbound cars would probably have been involved. It all took place in matter of mere seconds and my hugging the edge of the shoulder while braking hard were the ONLY things that keep us and probably several others from being killed. A few inches more to the right and we would have rolled our rig right off of the highway.

Once we got out heart rates back undef 100 my bride and I continued on for nearly 5 minutes before even speaking and what we had to say is not fit to print. What in the heck is wrong with people? While the mini van was the scariest driver I have ever encountered and probably impaired beyond being terminally stupid, the Class A driver could have diffused the situation by simply getting on his brakes and letting the idiot squeeze in... why kill us???

Desert Captain wrote:

I have no idea why there is so much confusion about the lanes and traffic. Here are the first 4 sentences of my original post:

"We were northbound on Highway 89 between Flagstaff and Page Arizona last Sunday morning. While this stretch of 89 is pretty good road it alternates between 2 and 3 lanes. About 25 miles south of Page southbound it was two lanes with just a double yellow line separating them from the northbound traffic.

Southbound traffic was fairly heavy as we ascended a long grade."

There were 3 lanes.
Two of the lanes were southbound.
One lane, mine, was northbound.

"Honestly, with the conflicting comments form the OP, we don't know what really happened and if the Class A didn't let off the gas. Going down a grade, letting off the gas may not slow him down much. Going in the opposite direction and admitting he was surprised and in shock, I'm not buying he was able to objectively estimate anything.

PS: It appears based on other posters comments that it was NOT a 3 lane roadway. I don't know why that red herring was thrown in because it confused the discussion greatly. This was a simple passing situation on a 2 lane 2 way roadway."

No conflicting comments were made. Sorry you just don't get that. Yes I was surprised but not in shock, just a little busy doing my best to save our {and probably others} lives. Could not care less that you are 'Not buying"

No "Red Herring" was ever thrown in ... except by you.

sparkydave wrote:

Glad you're still with us, Desert Captain. My family lives out in Arizona and my folks have a cabin in Payson, so I'm somewhat familiar with the roads you're talking about. I'm pretty sure I understood it; minivan was in a great hurry, passed in a no-passing zone, and thanks to your quick response managed to avoid a bad situation for everyone. That's what you would call a "brown trouser" moment.

Edit: Saw your newer post. I had it misunderstood, now i've got it.

Desert Captain wrote:



Once we got out heart rates back undef 100 my bride and I continued on for nearly 5 minutes before even speaking and what we had to say is not fit to print. What in the heck is wrong with people? While the mini van was the scariest driver I have ever encountered and probably impaired beyond being terminally stupid the Class A driver could have diffused the situation by simply getting on his brakes and letting the idiot squeeze in... why kill us???