Harvest is here again and the Richland County Emergency Medical Services Board would like to remind all drivers to drive safely especially during this time. Here are a few facts and safety tips to keep you and your family safe.
In the United States more than 70% of all fatal collisions involve automobiles and large trucks. In these crashes the operator of the automobile, rather than the truck driver, contributed to the cause of the collision.
Most collisions involving cars and trucks occur in daylight, on straight and dry pavement, and under good weather conditions.
Because trucks are larger and heavier than automobiles, four out of five times, the operator of the automobile or its passengers, and not the truck driver, are killed in a fatal automobile-truck crash.
Trucks tend to have special hazards; they have large blind spots called “no zones” and need additional room when making turns. A trustworthy rule to follow at all times is if you cannot see the operator of the truck in their outside mirrors then he/she probably cannot see your vehicle.
Thoughts to consider-
If you know that you may encounter an unusual amount of harvest production, leave your house earlier to ensure that you arrive at your destination on time. This is key!
Be patient and wear your seatbelt. Not wearing your seatbelt increases your chances of death by 40-50%.
95% of all road accidents are a direct result of a traffic offense.
Use your headlights, even in the daytime; it increases your car's visibility by 20%.
Think twice before pulling out in front of a large truck. Large trucks with full loads take three times the distance to stop from highway speeds on dry roads than would a passenger vehicle.
Maintain a constant speed when passing, and keep in mind it is a violation to exceed posted speed limits. Make sure you can see the front of the truck in your rear view mirror before pulling back into the lane of travel. Pass when it is safe to do so. Never pass while going over a hill. Make sure you can see what’s ahead of you before you pass.
Keep windshields clean. When being passed by a large vehicle, slow down slightly, as water spray or dirt from the vehicle tires can reduce your visibility.
Always keep your distance, never tailgate.
Remember, if you can’t see the vehicle’s mirrors (while passing) there is a good chance they can’t see you.
Dry roads and dust reduce visibility.
More than 200,000 collisions involving at least one passenger car and one large truck happen each year in the United States.
Have a productive and SAFE harvest.
Submitted by
Richland County Emergency Medical Services Board
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