Re: [RC] Trailer Safety Tip...or just plain driving tip - Becky Huffman
We live in a country subdivision with a
coming-of-age teenage population. .. narrow (lane and a half) curvy roads, hills
and thick cedar along the road. We've had several deaths over the years on
that 3 mile section, a young person (17) several months ago, and just last
weekend, another wreck, three careflighted out and one ambulance.
People drive *fast* because it's
familiar, and down the center of the road. I don't know how many will have
to be killed before people will wake up, slow down and pay attention. - but with
the influx of new houses and families, I don't see much hope of things
improving.
Subject: Re: [RC] Trailer Safety Tip...or
just plain driving tip
Good point Carol...
One more thing I forgot... Please remember to "stay in your lane"
on a curve! We had 3 close call head on collisions over these past three
weeks with people coming into our lane on a curve. I know it's hard with
a long rig, but you need to be very cautious on the curves. And as Carol
says...while riding the horses too!
Subject: [RC] Trailer Safety Tip...or
just plain driving tip
This past weekend I was driving in my car and stopped at the
intersection. I had a red light. As a truck and horse trailer
approached the intersection (they had the green) a car went thru the red
light at 35-40 mph and slammed into the truck towing the horse
trailer...RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!!!! Thank goodness no people or
horses were injured badly. One horse needed some stitches as he had
cut his lip, the truck and car are totalled, and the trailer needs fixed,
but other than that everything should be okay.
During the past 3 weeks, while on vacation, I witnessed 3 other
accidents with 2 fatalities, people zoned out while they were driving,
people cutting other cars/trucks off, following to closely or putting
themselves inside of someone elses cushion, and much more really bad
driving.
Why am I telling you this....?
Well, I grew up in the work world at UPS and they are big time at
training their drivers in safety. It's one of the best "every day"
things I used from my training. It's saved me from having accidents
like the one I told you about...close calls that my horse trailer
would have been hit and my horses injured. So, this is just a
reminder to everyone...don't get complacent when you are driving...your
car, truck, towing a trailer...it could save you and your horses. In
the UPS world, if the driver would have followed simple safety rules
of driving, then the accident with the car & horse trailer probably
could have been avoided. I'm not putting blame on the truck/trailer
who got hit, but I am stating that it is our job to look out for the
knuckleheads who don't pay attention like the car who hit them. All
too many times, I have avoided collisions with my truck or trailer,
because I followed the driver safety training UPS provided to me and
just didn't assume everyone else was awake and paying attention.
Look around, you'll be surprised at how many people are really poor
drivers and are endangering your life, your horses, and the others around
you.
If you want to know what UPS taught me, here it is.....
1. Aim high in steering...look out ahead of you, not right in front
of your vehicle.
2. Get the Big picture...see everything around you.
3. Keep your eyes moving....you have mirrors for a reason and windows
too...accidents can happen from any spot, not just in front of you
4. Leave yourself an out...don't follow too close, etc.
5. Make sure they see you...I beep my horn ALOT...sometimes people
are looking the other way and I'm coming thru...I just want to make sure
they see me.
I hope I wasnt' too preachy, but with all I've witnessed in the last
3 weeks, I wanted to make others aware....Just a few words to the wise,
awake, and attentive.
