Think Responsibly

Friday October 13, 2023 4:11 P.M.

The Driver of the black car was travelling south on a one-way street when a car travelling east on a one-way street was speeding and ran the red light. Because of excessive speeding there was a loud crunch and major damage to both vehicles in this crash. The driver of the speeding vehicle was hospitalized with near critical injuries.

Driving responsibly is a kindness to yourself and those around you.

Not only is it morally correct and a sign of good citizenship, but it could also be a matter of life or death. Paying attention to traffic laws and respecting speed limits are great ways to ensure the safety of yourself and others.

It is very important to understand what happens when a first responder respond to a traffic accident.

When first responders arrive at a traffic accident, they secure the site, establish a safe zone, and evacuate the area if necessary. They also:

Cordon off the accident site
Provide emergency services and traffic control
Restrict access to the site by media and bystanders
Assess the scene
Prevent the incident from progressing
Provide medical assistance
Treat life-threatening injuries first
Summon more advanced medical personnel, when necessary

First responders’ duties include:

Opening and maintaining an airway
Ventilating patients
Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Controlling hemorrhage
Bandaging wounds
Manually stabilizing injured extremities

When someone involved in a car accident is unconscious when first responders arrive, they are immediately taken to a hospital.

Definition of Responsible Driving

Responsible driving means being aware of your surroundings while on the roads and driving in an attentive and cautious manner. It also means that drivers adhere to speed limits and obey all traffic laws and regulations to ensure the safety of other drivers, pedestrians, and property. Responsible driving also involves avoiding distractions such as texting, eating, drinking, adjusting music or the radio, or other activities that take your focus away from the basic act of driving. All of these are essential for making sure that everyone is safe on the roads and for reducing the risk of accidents.

The safest thing for pedestrians to do in work zones is to avoid the construction area. If it’s not possible to avoid the area, pedestrians should:

Be attentive and careful
Obey all work zone signs, personnel, and pavement markings
Use clear, designated routes through and around work zones
Avoid creating pedestrian paths that lead pedestrians into direct conflicts with work site vehicles, equipment, operations, and vehicular traffic
Look both ways before stepping into the road

Pedestrians should also:

Obey all work zone signs, personnel, and pavement markings
Use clear signage that indicates an appropriate alternative route
Avoid walking next to the curb with your back to the traffic
Make eye contact with drivers if possible and make sure that they can see you
Leave the existing pedestrian sidewalk or path clear of mud or dirt, poles, temporary signs, hoses, barriers, construction materials, vehicles, equipment, and other protruding objects such as tree limbs at the end of each work shift
Use clear delineation by signs and markings for all temporary crosswalks