By Pat Inman
On June 8, 1986, the KDOT
District Three materials crews were doing some asphalt core drilling to
determine asphalt thickness, asphalt content, aggregate gradations, etc. I was
flagging traffic on the south end of the project located on U.S. 283 approximately
3 miles south of Norton.
The drilling location was in the
northbound lane of the road requiring traffic to transition over into the
southbound lane, then back after going around the drilling equipment. All
traffic control was in place according to the current requirements, including
signs, traffic cones, and vehicles with flashing lights.
As traffic approached from the
south, I motioned the lead vehicle over into the southbound lane. The driver of
the vehicle following behind failed to notice the lane change of the car in
front of it and maintained its path in the northbound lane where I was flagging
traffic.
A distraction or moment of
inattention caused a catastrophic and life changing accident. Thankfully I
wasn’t killed as a result and there were no other injuries to coworkers or
damage to equipment. I suffered compound fractures to both legs, broken bones
in my hand, a broken vertebra in my neck, and cuts and scrapes to my head and
ear which required over 300 stitches and 5 reconstructive plastic surgeries,
along with a serious concussion. I am very fortunate to have recovered with
very little long term damage.
Safety cannot be “overdone.”
We used every traffic control
device available to us, and all workers were veteran employees with over 15
years experience in work zone safety requirements. Even with all the safety
measures in place, a moment of distraction or inattention can result in
accidents. All workers need to be constantly aware of traffic and potential
hazards. While driving, in a work zone, or anywhere, one needs to be acutely
aware of everything going on around them.
Today there are even more
distractions, cell phones, ipods, gps units, etc. to cause a lapse in attention
that could be devastating, or fatal. When you operate any vehicle you are
committed to be responsible for its safe operation, both morally and legally.
Engineering Technician Patrick Inman retired in 2005 after 34 years of
service at KDOT
Oh my gosh, I'm so glad you are ok. All the surgeries, stitches and mending you had to go through because of this ... everyone needs to pay attention in work zones at ALL times.
ReplyDeleteThis is a tragic event that could be prevented. Carelessness in work zones can also injure and claim the lives of motorists. Here’s some simple advice for drivers to follow whenever they encounter an orange cone or see orange “Work Zone” signs by the highway: Slow down and pay attention.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!! I'm so glad you survived. It takes just a monment of inattention to create a situation that has tragic consequences.
ReplyDeletePat, thank you so much for sharing your story. I am so thankful that you recovered from this horrific accident! One moment can make a difference in a lifetime of one person or many many more. Let's make those moments behind the wheel count as attentive ones! Kristen Brands.
ReplyDelete