Re: [RC] Trailer Safety Tip...or just plain driving tip - Sky Ranch
Great tips, Stacy.
I have one more safe driving tip -- never, ever,
start up on a green light at an intersection without looking left and right for
oncoming traffic, that might be going to run their amber or red
light. This habit has saved my life at least twice.
Once recently, a man came flying through an intersection (I'm
sure he didn't even notice the light had changed), and I would have
been killed for sure - he was going about 70 mph in a big pick-up truck.
My light had been green for a second or two - luckily, I was paying attention
and saw him, knew he wasn't stopping.
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 provi ded 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.
