Ever felt "trapped" on the interstate?

Andy Griffith · #1 03-13-2009, 12:20 PM

This is something I suppose that I'm the only one that's ever thought of and the idea has come to...

Let me first say that I am not claustrophobic- I've been in many caves and tight workplaces, but this really bothers me!

I've been stuck in traffic on expressways before because of accidents, traffic congestion, cows in the road...you name it. It's very likely that everyone on here has at one point or another...

Anyway, some years ago, when I was trapped on an interstate for two hours late one night while a wreck was cleared on I-75...that I was "trapped" and couldn't go anywhere! That made me more agitated.

Has anyone else felt the same way as I have in the past? I have really considered carrying some wrenches of the correct size to take down guard rails in order to "escape" if possible. Heck, I suppose a Sawz-all could cut a support if powered... Or some bolt cutters to cut the animal fencing and cables to get across.

Not that I would unless there was a true, dire emergency. I just don't like feeling trapped, and knowing I "had" the freedom if I needed it.

Guess I'm the only one that feels this way.
Am I crazy?

Andy Griffith · #2 03-13-2009, 12:20 PM

This is something I suppose that I'm the only one that's ever thought of and the idea has come to...

Let me first say that I am not claustrophobic- I've been in many caves and tight workplaces, but this really bothers me!

I've been stuck in traffic on expressways before because of accidents, traffic congestion, cows in the road...you name it. It's very likely that everyone on here has at one point or another...

Anyway, some years ago, when I was trapped on an interstate for two hours late one night while a wreck was cleared on I-75...that I was "trapped" and couldn't go anywhere! That made me more agitated.

Has anyone else felt the same way as I have in the past? I have really considered carrying some wrenches of the correct size to take down guard rails in order to "escape" if possible. Heck, I suppose a Sawz-all could cut a support if powered... Or some bolt cutters to cut the animal fencing and cables to get across.

Not that I would unless there was a true, dire emergency. I just don't like feeling trapped, and knowing I "had" the freedom if I needed it.

Guess I'm the only one that feels this way.
Am I crazy?

Erich · #3 03-13-2009, 12:32 PM

There was a story in Omni magazine in the '80s about a great freeway traffic jam, where people were stuck there for weeks on end. Food was helicoptered in. Eventually the government built a new freeway right over the top of all the people stuck in the traffic jam.

Perhaps you ought to stick to surface roads . . .

VM · #4 03-13-2009, 12:41 PM

I drove a Whiskey Truck for 15 years in N. Indiana. If you've ever traveled Lake, Porter, St Joe Counties in the winter time on the Indiana Toll road or parallel I-94 you know what I mean.

White-outs, blizzards, and snow-belt producing storms from Lake Michigan trapped me on the Toll rd many times.
The good thing about it.........I just had to get in the back and get out a bottle of blackberry brandy, come back to the warm cab and turn some tunes on and then enjoy time and ahalf on the pay clock. Never bothered me!

ThirtyAcres · #5 03-13-2009, 01:33 PM

First things you notice when stuck in traffic on the interstate.......empty gas tank and full bladder.

Duke426 · #6 03-13-2009, 01:41 PM

Every night as I tried to make my way from Ft Myer, VA through DC and into the Maryland suburbs.

I was wasting several hours each night to make it 30 miles back home. One night after a light snow, it took me 6 hours and I never got my truck out of first gear.

I came very close to having a mental breakdown because it was so frustrating. To this day, if I am caught in any kind of traffic like that I become highly aggitated.

keith44spl · #7 03-13-2009, 01:41 PM

Andy,

Several years back there was an armed robbery or two reported during traffic jams. They just walk from car to car...

I always tell my wife and adult kids to move toward the right hand lane if traffic starts backing up in a jam or the far left to give them a escape route (via the safety shoulder or grass) if need be.

Su Amigo,
Dave

perpster · #8 03-13-2009, 02:12 PM

The Mach-5 can jump over guard rails (and traffic) without a wrench or sawsall being needed.

roundgunner · #9 03-13-2009, 02:46 PM

When I first got off active duty I took a job as a on the road photographer. NYC one day, Boston the next, over to Jersey. I was averaging about 250 miles a day.

I was not there but a couple of the other guys couldn’t wait to let everybody know about a friend who had to “poop” while stuck on the Cross Bronx I-95 with those big stone walls on both sides.

He had a 4 door so he opened both doors on one side and sat one cheeked on the front threshold.

I’m glad it never happened to me but there is a lesson to be learned here, never run over anything lying in the road!

truckemup97 · #10 03-13-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by VM:
If you've ever traveled Lake, Porter, St Joe Counties in the winter time on the Indiana Toll road or parallel I-94 you know what I mean.

I know EXACTLY what you mean, VM.

I also know what Andy means, but most of the time I have a slight advantage. I carry a small apartment around with me.

Fix a sandwich, use the restroom, take a nap.... I've slept on the shoulder of I-80 while the trucks plowed, woke up and went back to truckin'.

The Shottist · #11 03-13-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by keith44spl:

Several years back there was an armed robbery or two reported during traffic jams. They just walk from car to car...

That was in Ca. There was a guy on another forum that was attacked while sitting in his car stuck in LA traffic. He pulled his .45 and asked the attacker "You want something?" The attacker said "Uh, no" and ran off.

spearcrow · #12 03-13-2009, 05:24 PM

I truely feel sorry for those of you who have those big city commutes. I am fortunate...whenb I go to work in the morning..there is more wildlife in the road than cars...2 to 1

guntownuncle · #13 03-13-2009, 05:36 PM

Yes. Even on the rural parts of interstates they have started putting up wire barriers in the center median. This is supposed to keep cars from crossing the median into oncoming traffic. The problem is that sometimes there are miles of this with no break in the wire. If a truck jack knives, or whatever, you can't even turn around and go the other way. (Yes, I realize you are not supposed to do that anyway, but I don't care.) I've gotten to where I take backroads when I can. Lucky for me we have very good backroads around here. The state really should make some consideration of what happens when a bad wreck occurs on an interstate, but they don't seem to.

max · #14 03-13-2009, 06:20 PM

I just got back from Ft Myers Beach. Most days, I just stayed put. However, there were a few times we had to go someplace and the traffic is terrible. The island is 5 or more miles long and has a 2 lane road down the middle. Most of the time it is bumper to bumper.

I was just happy to stay close to the beach.

Mickey D · #15 03-13-2009, 08:59 PM

Several winters ago while commuting home, I made the approach onto one of our local bridges and traffic stopped. It was a stormy and windy evening which blew a mobile home over at the top of the bridge, demolishing it. We were stuck on the bridge for 3 hours. This was just about the time when cell phones first came out and very few had them. Folks that did were surrounded by people asking if they could call their homes explaining the situation.
I remember that I eventually needed to pee, so I had to use some Tupperware I had from lunch.

Hermann · #16 03-13-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ThirtyAcres:
First things you notice when stuck in traffic on the interstate.......empty gas tank and full bladder.

So true!

ChuckS1 · #17 03-14-2009, 04:18 AM

All y'all gotta try I-395 and I-95 going south from DC to Fredericksburg, VA any afternoon between 4 and 7. That's being trapped!

truckemup97 · #18 03-14-2009, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChuckS1:
All y'all gotta try I-395 and I-95 going south from DC to Fredericksburg, VA any afternoon between 4 and 7. That's being trapped!

I have to say, that's probably in the top five places I don't like to travel.

indiandave · #19 03-14-2009, 05:40 AM

I travel on route 84 in Pa every day. There is one area where there is no exits for about 12 miles. If an accident happends you have to sit in traffic with no way to get out. One summer I sat for two and one half hours and last winter in a snow storm I sat for about three hours. Of course I was almost out of gas and could not run the heater.

No Andy you are not crazy. I felt trapped and was very uncomfortable both times.

m657 · #20 03-14-2009, 06:01 AM

BTDT.....avoid such whenever possible. There are places I simply don't go, period.

Just returned from 8K cross-country drive.

Many areas of highway system unfit for human comfort. That it functions as well as it does is verging on unbelievable.

CAJUNLAWYER · #21 03-14-2009, 06:02 AM

There is an 18 mile stretch of I-10 between Lafayette and Baton Rouge that is raised and crosses the Atchafalaya swamp-If there is a wreck on it you are seriously hosed. ALthough it is accepted practice to pee off the side of the bridge in those circumstances.

Sven · #22 03-14-2009, 06:42 AM

Interesting topic, since we are getting ready for a trip to AZ. We're pulling the Scamp camper, so we'd have all the comforts of home. Plus pulling it with a Jeep also gives some sense of independance. Although some areas will be in spring break-up which means the ditches will be bottomless mud if one tried to drive through there. Knowing what's loaded, ready and handy helps, too. For the most part, we'll be on two lane highways with a little bit if interstate thrown in here or there.

I remember a stretch of I-10 somewhere between Gulfport and New Orleans that was like one continuous bridge for miles and miles. I heard rumors of a guy at night jumping over the concrete wall to take a pee and falling into the swamp! Supposedly he didn't realize he was on an elevated highway.

CAJUNLAWYER · #23 03-14-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sven:
Interesting topic, since we are getting ready for a trip to AZ. We're pulling the Scamp camper, so we'd have all the comforts of home. Plus pulling it with a Jeep also gives some sense of independance. Although some areas will be in spring break-up which means the ditches will be bottomless mud if one tried to drive through there. Knowing what's loaded, ready and handy helps, too. For the most part, we'll be on two lane highways with a little bit if interstate thrown in here or there.

I remember a stretch of I-10 somewhere between Gulfport and New Orleans that was like one continuous bridge for miles and miles. I heard rumors of a guy at night jumping over the concrete wall to take a pee and falling into the swamp! Supposedly he didn't realize he was on an elevated highway.

You're thinking about the Bonne Carre spillway between New Orleans and LaPlace-it's only around 13 miles.

mohavesam · #24 03-14-2009, 07:22 AM

"Getting stuck on a freeway for hours..."

- sounds like a Darwin thing to me.

otis24 · #25 03-14-2009, 08:53 AM

Shhhh! Back slowly away from this post and no one will have to get hurt. Reach slowly for your mousepad, no sudden moves, and erase this post before the gov't labels you crazy and takes your guns.

truckemup97 · #26 03-14-2009, 08:55 AM

Does anyone else see the irony in Otis calling Andy Griffith crazy?

ParadiseRoad · #27 03-14-2009, 09:12 AM

...I crossed the entire Los Angeles metroplex...from north to south...on I-5 last time I was there. Needless to say...I found an alternate route on the way back...

.

Andy Griffith · #28 03-14-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by truckemup97:
Does anyone else see the irony in Otis calling Andy Griffith crazy?

Andy Taylor: Barney, you can't give Otis a sobriety test now; he's had all night to sleep it off. The time to give him a sobriety test was last night when you picked him up.
Barney Fife: I couldn't give him the test last night!
Andy Taylor: Why?
Barney Fife: He was too drunk.

Or, as in the immortal words of the county's champion rock chunker and bard, Ernest T. Bass:
"If a duck stood still you could catch him by the bill."

Really, I asked for it...
"How did I ever get all of my great big foot- all of it, in my little old mouth?"

ParadiseRoad · #29 03-14-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Or, as in the immortal words of Ernest T. Bass:

.

m657 · #30 03-14-2009, 11:18 AM

re:

Quote:

here is an 18 mile stretch of I-10 between Lafayette and Baton Rouge that is raised and crosses the Atchafalaya swamp

I was on that about 3 weeks ago....it seemed a LOT farther!!!

truckemup97 · #31 03-14-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by m657:
re:

Quote:

here is an 18 mile stretch of I-10 between Lafayette and Baton Rouge that is raised and crosses the Atchafalaya swamp

I was on that about 3 weeks ago....it seemed a LOT farther!!!

Just don't start thinking about bridges collapsing, alligators, cotton mouths, and how much coffee you had with breakfast. That makes it seem like about 180 miles.

Lenshappy · #32 03-14-2009, 04:40 PM

yes...try driving in Russia.... or may Sofia
in 1971...