By Jonathan McClung
Not many days go by
that we don’t pass a highway maintenance vehicle on the side of the road where
people are working. But yet many drivers don’t give enough attention to make it
a priority to give the courtesy of slowing down and moving over. Recently I had
an encounter of what can happen in such an instance. 
A large bang and the windows of my tractor were coming in on me. When the glass stopped flying, I looked back to see my mowing deck was detached and setting on the ground 10 yards behind my tractor. I then looked forward and as the dust settled, there in front of me was a SUV lying upside down on its roof. It wasn’t until this point that I realized that I had been hit by a vehicle traveling highway speeds. It happened so fast.
The two passengers in the SUV were airlifted to Denver, Colorado, for treatment from injuries and I received five stiches for a cut to the back of my arm. But it could have been worse. Looking at the tractor the next day, I realize that a few inches could have created a different outcome. Talking to the State Troopers afterward, we came to the conclusion that the seat belts saved all three of our lives. The SUV’s passengers and I were restrained into our vehicles, keeping us from being ejected.
I don’t know if I will ever know the reason that vehicle left the roadway that day, but I will never forget it. If I can get one person that reads this to think twice about slowing down and moving over for highway maintenance vehicles, emergency vehicles, or even just vehicles parked on the side of the road, then this is worth writing because the life you could save may be your own.
Jonathan McClung is an Equipment Operator for the Kansas
Department of Transportation in Goodland
Great reminder that no matter how big the vehicle, seatbelts save lives!!!
ReplyDeleteMoving over and slowing down for work vehicles or vehicles stopped along the side roadway is a common courtesy which should be afforded to all. If you have every broke down along a busy roadway you know how scary it can be with cars speeding past you. Those whose job it is to be there to maintain the roads are particularly vulnerable as Jonathon’s close call shows. Probably a good chance some distraction cause the driver to lose control but the bottom line is that we need to treat others like we would want to be treated and that means giving the full attention to driving when behind the wheel.
ReplyDeleteI hope lots of people read this and remember to slow down and move over for highway maintenance vehicles AND more importantly, the people who are in them.
ReplyDeleteJonathan, you are one of my highway maintenance worker heroes. You do a great job every day and normally no consequence. However, as you noted Wednesday, July 10th will be remembered forever. In the future, when I see a highway maintenance worker, your incident will come to mind and I will pull over. If I forget, I am sure my wife will remind me. This used to bother me, but will not anymore after reading your story. I am glad you are okay.
ReplyDelete