The "A Scary Day!" Story

Chesapeake Bay Bridge

It was an ordinary day.  Reading in the newspaper about the accident on the bridge that connects Maryland's eastern shore to it's western shore.  Bridge is officially called the William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge, but most people refer to it as the Bay Bridge, since it spans the Chesapeake Bay.  A few years ago it was picked as one of the World's Scariest Bridges and if you have ever traveled it you know exactly why it has gained the reputation.  Recently a girl was driving along minding her own business when a tractor trailer rear-ended her car.  

Railing that she was pushed over.

It broke through the side rail, teetered on the edge for a few seconds, then fell to the water below.  She was able to get out of the car after it dropped to the bottom, push off the car and surface.  Swam to one of the piles of rocks that are around the bridge's pilings.  Had to be the scariest moment in this poor girl's life.  The bridge is five miles long and 186 feet high at the highest point and more than once I have driven it.  It is probably the only bridge that I am afraid to drive across.  The side rails are so low with openings in the rails.  A few years ago Carol and I were visiting the city of St. Michaels for a few days.  One of those days we decided to travel to Annapolis, the capital of Maryland and not too far from our stop in St. Michaels.  We began our trip across with very few problems, but as the bridge started to ascend, I freaked out.  I looked at Carol and said, "I can't do this."  "Can't do what?" she replied.  "Can't drive across the bridge.  I'm scared."  OK, what to do.  There is no shoulder and no where to pull over on the bridge so Carol reached over and grabbed the wheel and steered the car as I kept pressure on the accelerator.  We survived, but I can tell you I didn't drive the car on the return trip later that day.  And, I haven't driven over the bridge since that time.  Matter of fact Carol had to drive across most high-rise bridges for some time until my unusual fear disappeared.  I am fine as of now, but don't think I will ever tackle the Bay Bridge again.  I have found alternate routes to travel to Annapolis.  

Her car being retrieved.

As for the girl in the accident, the 22 year-old was quickly rescued by a passing boat and didn't sustain serious injuries, but I can't imagine how she can sleep at night, dreaming of her experience on one of the World's Scariest Bridges.  The National Transportation Board is now in the process of evaluating the side railings on the bridge and the safety of driving on the bridge.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.