Those slabs of steel on the side of the road are highly under-appreciated until you see how well they keep you on the road. We found out today at about 7 a.m. A guardrail left its mark on the car, as you can see, but we're all OK.
We were on our way to Germany (plus a side trip to Paris) for Christmas when we hit black ice just outside Höör. Lewis said he couldn't steer as we slid out of control toward the guardrail going about 55 mph (90 km/h). The ice came out of nowhere. The roads had been fine, and the car thermometer said it was 40 degrees F outside. But as we later read in the local newspaper, that particular area had gotten quite cold overnight. The rain that had fallen on Saturday turned to ice and wreaked havoc for travelers until almost noon. There was a list of reported accidents, and most had injuries requiring a hospital visit.
No injuries for us, and the car seemed to be drivable, so we came back home. Sophie stared at me in silence for most of the hour-long ride. The dog wouldn't lay back down on her bed (so we know she was freaked out). And Lewis and I just felt – and still feel – incredibly fortunate. We were going fast, and were definitely going off the road. We just happened to do it in a stretch of highway that had a guardrail on our left and right, preventing us from swerving into oncoming traffic or landing in the ditch.
Our car deserves a lot of credit, too: a 2001 Volvo V40. I always knew my decision to trade in my Jeep Wrangler for this safe mom-mobile would pay off. I thought our whole front would be crushed, but the damage doesn't really reflect the severity of the impact.
Soooo... we just canceled our train tickets and apartment in Paris, and we're trying to figure out if we'll be able to make it to Grandma's house before Christmas. And we're all hugging each other a little tighter.
Merry Christmas, and safe travels everyone!!
Glad to hear you are all OK ! What a scary thing to happen.
Hope the rest of your Christmas break goes well !
Merry Christmas
Sarah
Posted by: sarah | December 22, 2008 at 12:17 AM
aaaaaah! glad that everyone is safe. i'm sure you've already been scouring the volvoForums looking for how to fix the front end using starchy potatoes, two screwdrivers and some spray paint!
jp
Posted by: jp | December 22, 2008 at 07:58 AM
What a great Christmas gift that guardrail gave your fans around the world!
Posted by: Rick Chadwick | December 22, 2008 at 12:25 PM
So glad to know you are all okay! God Jul!
Posted by: Hillary | December 24, 2008 at 04:25 AM
Oh my God, Ginny. Gotta love guardrails and Swedish engineering, huh? I'm glad the family is safe, and I hope you'll have a better holiday from here on out!
Posted by: Vanessa | December 24, 2008 at 06:22 AM
I read your post just before we were packing the car to drive to Småland, passing Älmhult (and Höör on the way). I was thinking of you then and also on the way back when the street were frozen yesterday. I am SO GLAD you all are fine. I was in a terrible car accident when I was 6 years old and it still haunts me. So so glad it all turned out well for you and I hope you made it to Germany. Kram.
Posted by: Nina | December 27, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Oh, Ginny, I'm so glad you're okay. Did you make it to Germany?
Posted by: Amy | December 27, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Thanks everyone! It was definitely pretty terrifying. We drove VERY slowly as we passed the spot a few days later. We looked at the guardrail for signs of injury. Nothing. Those suckers are really in there. We made it safely to Germany (and Paris) and are hoping for ice-free roads for our drive back. My parents were also in a car accident over the holidays (everyone is OK), and I'm just hoping we don't hear of any more accidents. Safe travels everyone!!
Posted by: ginny | December 30, 2008 at 11:20 AM