Never should have happened

[12poundbass]

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2019/10/police-respond-to-fatal-crash-on-hall-street-over-us-131.html

 

This happened this morning in my work area. As a fellow utility worker this hits too close to home and is a big wake up call for me and my crew.

 

It’s a daily occurrence we get honked at, flipped off, and cars buzz right by us almost hitting us. Injuring or killing a utility worker in Michigan carries the same penalty as if we were a police officer on the side of the road. I hope they throw the book at her. 

 

Next time you see our amber or green lights on please slow down and move over, remember we’re working for you. 

[Bankbeater]

Around here they fly down the lane being worked on and then wait to merge at the last second. No regard for the workers or the other vehicles. 

[Oregon Native]

So...sorry for your lose and others in like fields....rush...rush world with so many in a hurry to get "No Where" important.

[ike8120]

Almost happened to me with a flagger and police detail. People are just in a hurry.

[J Francho]

Ask @clayton86 about it!  Sad story indeed.

[NYWayfarer]

Driving gets worse every year. Up here we have a mix of young impatient drivers and older folk who turn and merge with the mentality that people will slow down and let them in. It's a deadly combination at times.

 

I can only hope the future of self driving cars prevents these senseless tragedies.

 

 

[TnRiver46]

I hate to hear about this. I was driving through a one lane flagger situation yesterday and one of the workers tripped over an orange cone right in front of my van. Scary stuff, kudos to those that put themselves in harms way so we can have good roads and utilites. As for self driving cars, no thanks....

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

Ask @clayton86 about it!  Sad story indeed.

I completely forgot about that, he knows exactly how it is out there. Glad to see he recovered, and glad to see he’s been posting on here. 

[clayton86]

almost been a year (November 13) since I took a F150 at 50mph on the highway here in WNY as a tow truck operator. Put me in coma and all busted up but for the most part fully recovered I just limp everywhere now. Being back to work towing for the same company my heads on a swivel even more now but yeah people done care they are to busy on their phones while driving not paying attention. 

[clark9312]

I also work in the utility business. This is the second story I’ve seen in the last few weeks of this happening. The other story was a guy got pinned between an excavator and the car that hit him...he didn’t make it. I try and make sure our job is always setup the best way possible but some people pay 0 attention to the signs, comes, flashing lights, and hi vis vest. 

[Hammer 4]

My daily driver is a Duramax, which sits up higher than most cars, ect..I see it everyday, people talking or looking at a cell phone, even driving over 80 mph on the freeway. Ever since  can remember, I've always given emergency, and any roadside workers lots of room, and I'm slowing down just in case..IMHO, cell phones should be banned for use in auto's. Your job is to drive, Period..

 

Sorry for the rant, but someones health or life just isn't worth it. RIP to the utility worker.

[clayton86]

1 hour ago, Hammer 4 said:

My daily driver is a Duramax, which sits up higher than most cars, ect..I see it everyday, people talking or looking at a cell phone, even driving over 80 mph on the freeway. Ever since  can remember, I've always given emergency, and any roadside workers lots of room, and I'm slowing down just in case..IMHO, cell phones should be banned for use in auto's. Your job is to drive, Period..

 

Sorry for the rant, but someones health or life just isn't worth it. RIP to the utility worker.

  Being up in the tow truck I see it all day also. I’ve called the “help truck” and police for back up for calls I’ve had on the left shoulder of the highway. I’ll call the customer tell them to wait in car while waiting for them to come shut down the lane or block some and have their lights or the big “move over” sign to give me working room while hooking their car and getting off the highway. I’ve actually had a lot of the sheriffs fist bump me and shake my hand knowing I was hit already and take extra steps to ensure safety now.

[Hammer 4]

14 minutes ago, clayton86 said:

  Being up in the tow truck I see it all day also. I’ve called the “help truck” and police for back up for calls I’ve had on the left shoulder of the highway. I’ll call the customer tell them to wait in car while waiting for them to come shut down the lane or block some and have their lights or the big “move over” sign to give me working room while hooking their car and getting off the highway. I’ve actually had a lot of the sheriffs fist bump me and shake my hand knowing I was hit already and take extra steps to ensure safety now.

 

I sure hope you make a full and speedy recovery. I know 2 tow truck drivers, and they have told me about some really stupid drivers. Y'all stay safe out there..

[clayton86]

8 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

 

I sure hope you make a full and speedy recovery. I know 2 tow truck drivers, and they have told me about some really stupid drivers. Y'all stay safe out there..

Almost been a year and other than the limp and hip/pelvis pain I’ve pretty much fully recovered. Memory is back though wish it wasn’t a lot of times and they said that will be the slowest to come back is recovering brain injury but seeing how fast I bounced back from everything else from it not surprised my brain has recovered as fast as it did.