Federal opposition leader Tony Abbott has narrowly avoided a collision while on the way to a road safety meeting in regional Victoria.
Mr Abbott's car was turning right off the Princes Highway near Winchelsea to inspect a stretch of the road when a minibus behind his vehicle slowed down.
A fully-laden semi-trailer behind the minibus then slammed on its brakes and veered to the left, coming to a stop on the road bank.
The minibus continued travelling while Mr Abbott's car safely made its turn.
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No one was injured in the incident and no vehicles were hit.
Abbott 'relieved no one was hurt'
Mr Abbott said the incident showed him how perilous that stretch of road southwest of Melbourne could be.
"I was probably a bit lucky in that I only saw it after it had kind of finished," he said.
"I've got to say that the (truck) driver did a great job in keeping his vehicle upright in that situation.
"I'm just very pleased and relieved that no one was hurt because it could have been a very nasty situation.
"We look at these two-lane country highways and we feel secure on them but you are only ever a moment away from disaster."
