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Feb 1, 2010 — Ottumwa Courier

Cindy Toopes

Feb. 1, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- OTTUMWA -- When was the last time your car's brakes failed while you were in traffic?

I hope you said "Never!" because I can't.

Recently I was southbound on Church Street and started to brake for the red light ahead at Cook Avenue. My Buick's brake pedal went down to the floor and my blood pressure went through the roof.

Pumping the brake slowed the car a bit but not enough. I downshifted, too, and started praying. I got an immediate answer when the light turned green and I rolled on through the intersection.

I hated to speed up again but I had to go more than 10 mph or the car behind me was going to be in my trunk. Less than a block away was the red light at Myrtle Street.

Pumping the brake didn't work as well that time and I was grateful for another green light. I considered turning onto Myrtle but oncoming traffic prevented it.

Besides, Myrtle has a downward slope to Bardell Street and I was afraid I couldn't stop or turn the corner toward the YMCA and I wasn't taking the up ramp to the highway.

Pumping the brake didn't work as well that time so I was grateful for another green light. I rolled on to the stop sign by South Side Drug. This is where the stomach cramps began. The 300 block of Church Street is the beginning of the south-side business district. Pedestrians are common and on-street parking is available on both sides of the street.

My brain started the "What if?" game. What if a child darted out from between the parked cars? What if someone in a parked car opened a door into traffic? What if I had to go clear to Five Corners before I could turn south?

You don't roll through Five Corners. Well, you can and some have but it's expensive. So many things flicker through your mind when adrenaline takes over but I'll spare you the rest.

I almost stopped at the stop sign by the drugstore but I rolled on through. There was oncoming traffic but no cars coming off Weller Street. I didn't want to turn onto Weller because more traffic was likely near the YMCA and Subway.

Fortunately there were no oncoming cars when I reached Sheridan Avenue. I turned south and started breathing again. There wasn't much traffic so another wish was granted and I headed for Vine Street.

I turned east onto Vine Street, switched on my hazard lights and drove to the far right of my lane so cars behind me could pass more easily. A few blocks later I pulled into my driveway.

I was unharmed -- vibrating with adrenaline, yes, but unharmed. I didn't hit a person, critter or structure. I turned off the car and just sat there a few minutes. Then I remembered I'd been driving 55 mph on the highway about five minutes before my brakes failed.

I had decided to leave the highway because I was mad at other drivers still doing 55 mph where the posted limit is 35 mph. When I reached Fourth and Wapello streets I chose the down ramp to West Second Street, rather than chase anyone or scream obscenities. I just wanted to get away from the speeders and use the slow, flat way home to the south side.

What if I hadn't left the highway?

I could have chased the speeders or tried to tailgate one and would have had a terrible awakening when my brakes failed at the U.S. Highway 34 and 63 mixmaster.

My trip started north of town and I was southbound on U.S. Highway 63 North from Rochester Street and could have chosen North Court Street to reach downtown Ottumwa and the Market Street bridge.

The route is more scenic than the highway but does require a lot of braking. I could have smashed into the Civil War monument in Central Park.

I chose not to speed and took my growing road rage off the highway. That's why there was enough of my car left for Duane Gates to tow to Jack Blackwell Tire where Jack's crew found where rust ate through a brake line.

Choices. They're available every moment of your life.

Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0395-41697615