A Safety Lesson Learned

[ralphnjoann]

DW and I were driving down the Interstate when the truck died and we had to coast over to the shoulder. I put on the emergency flashers and got out to see what the problem was and the whole time I was out, vehicles in the right hand lane were flying by at breakneck speeds. It was dangerous to say the least.

I recalled that we had one of those folding orange reflective
emergency triangles with us so DW walked back and set it up. The change in traffic was dramatic. Virtually all of the 18 wheelers, and most of the other traffic moved into the left lane before passing us.

I know truckers are required by law to carry and use these triangles, and I think RVers are too. But even if not, they are well worth having.

[FunnyCamper]

JFNM wrote:
As a cyclist and motorist that has had to pull onto the should a time or two, I can assure you that motorists are out to kill you. They have no comprehension of the danger they are putting you in. So, anything you can do to get traffic to slow, move over, or simply pay attention is worth doing.

absolutely. I tell my younger DD that ALL cars etc. are NOT to be trusted. the driver could do whatever in a split second. Told her she must be pro active in traffic safety, NEVER trust a driver, ever.

[CavemanCharlie]

Good advice. We have a set of them in all of our farm trucks. I should get set for my pickup too for times when I am towing the Travel Trailer or Boat.

[dapperdan]

We have always carried reflective triangles for the very reason stated above. Trucks ARE required by law to have them, being a retired driver I just figured early on the more "warning" you give people in the event of a road-side emergency the better off I'd be.

Thank God I've never had to break out the triangles (yet). :B

I like the LED idea, can't have too much warning signals.

Dan

[nineoaks2004]

I have a set of the triangles, and purchased several flashing triangle lights (LED'S) at Harbor Freight, I figure they will last longer than 30 min. flares... and the color can be changed from white, to red to flashing red and have a hanger on them too.

[STBRetired]

The triangles at Harbor Freight are nice. The plastic case they give you for storage is a piece of junk, but the triangles are nice. Have a set in all my vehicles.

[thedoghouse]

Great topic. I ordered set triangles today

[toedtoes]

4X4Dodger wrote:

toedtoes wrote:

Searching_Ut wrote:
I work with a retired highway patrol officer who was hit 4 times During his 24 years in the hwy patrol. He mentioned that it was common for drivers to steer towards what they were looking at. Evidently this is especially applicable to impaired drivers so things like cop cars with flashing life's actually attract drunks etc. in some cases. It's kind of one of those no good answer situations other than try to avoid the situation if at all possible.

I was always told that same thing about "steering towards what you're looking at". Your co-worker is very lucky he's still alive; it's horrid some of the things that have happened to highway patrol on the side of the highway.

Remember to always get out of the vehicle on the passenger side and to move as far to the right of the roadway as possible. The closer you stay to the vehicle, the more danger you're in.

Wile I am not justifying ever hitting a highway patrolman (or anyone else for that matter) I do have to point out that many Highway Patrol put themselves in needlessly dangerous situations.

The CHP has this right and has had for many years. It is their policy to follow a car to a SAFE pulloff area and then stay on the Passenger side or the side of the car AWAY from the road.

Way too many times I have seen a HP pull over a car leaving the car out on part of the highway and his car parked so it does not protect him (inside or to the Right) of the pulled over car with the Patrolman standing ON the road.

This is asking for trouble. Many HP deaths and injuries could be prevented by smarter safety practices and not pulling cars off the road where little or no room exists for safety of the officer and the driver of the car.

I don't disagree, but that doesn't make it any better. Some of the things I've heard - I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

The more everyone on the road takes safety precautions, the less likely anyone will suffer.

[ralphnjoann]

3oaks wrote:
The law this, the law that, don't rely on the laws to keep you safe in the event of a roadside emergency. It's against the law to drive while intoxicated or high on drugs too! How well does that work? And numerous videos on U-Tube of police cars being demolished while parked on the shoulder of the road while they were assisting a disabled motorist. While parked completely off the roadway.....

Well, I'm not relying on the law; I'm relying on the triangles!

[3oaks]

The law this, the law that, don't rely on the laws to keep you safe in the event of a roadside emergency. It's against the law to drive while intoxicated or high on drugs too! How well does that work? And numerous videos on U-Tube of police cars being demolished while parked on the shoulder of the road while they were assisting a disabled motorist. While parked completely off the roadway.....

[thirtydaZe]

that IS a great idea. Interesting how people respond. Funny however, they are still inconsiderate enough not to get over in the first place.

[TyroneandGladys]

Hold them in front of you chest high as you are walking back to set them up to help people see you.

[4X4Dodger]

toedtoes wrote:

Searching_Ut wrote:
I work with a retired highway patrol officer who was hit 4 times During his 24 years in the hwy patrol. He mentioned that it was common for drivers to steer towards what they were looking at. Evidently this is especially applicable to impaired drivers so things like cop cars with flashing life's actually attract drunks etc. in some cases. It's kind of one of those no good answer situations other than try to avoid the situation if at all possible.

I was always told that same thing about "steering towards what you're looking at". Your co-worker is very lucky he's still alive; it's horrid some of the things that have happened to highway patrol on the side of the highway.

Remember to always get out of the vehicle on the passenger side and to move as far to the right of the roadway as possible. The closer you stay to the vehicle, the more danger you're in.

Wile I am not justifying ever hitting a highway patrolman (or anyone else for that matter) I do have to point out that many Highway Patrol put themselves in needlessly dangerous situations.

The CHP has this right and has had for many years. It is their policy to follow a car to a SAFE pulloff area and then stay on the Passenger side or the side of the car AWAY from the road.

Way too many times I have seen a HP pull over a car leaving the car out on part of the highway and his car parked so it does not protect him (inside or to the Right) of the pulled over car with the Patrolman standing ON the road.

This is asking for trouble. Many HP deaths and injuries could be prevented by smarter safety practices and not pulling cars off the road where little or no room exists for safety of the officer and the driver of the car.

[Need-A-Vacation]

A few years ago auto zone had a three pack of safety flare led "pucks" for $15. After checking a set out once home, I ended buying another 3 set I think it was due to having 3 vehicles (4 "pucks" in each). We now only have two vehicles, but luckily I have never had to use them while towing. Only time I have used them was when on wife guard (work for a utility co.) due to numerous down power lines. Was told by a few people that the three puck lights were pretty easy to see at night.....

I have one if those collapsible led cones also I now carry, given to us at work for our safety kick off this past winter.

[toedtoes]

Searching_Ut wrote:
I work with a retired highway patrol officer who was hit 4 times During his 24 years in the hwy patrol. He mentioned that it was common for drivers to steer towards what they were looking at. Evidently this is especially applicable to impaired drivers so things like cop cars with flashing life's actually attract drunks etc. in some cases. It's kind of one of those no good answer situations other than try to avoid the situation if at all possible.

I was always told that same thing about "steering towards what you're looking at". Your co-worker is very lucky he's still alive; it's horrid some of the things that have happened to highway patrol on the side of the highway.

Remember to always get out of the vehicle on the passenger side and to move as far to the right of the roadway as possible. The closer you stay to the vehicle, the more danger you're in.