Critter Crossings Improve Highway Safety

Highway underpasses for animals make roadways safer for wildlife and cars, a new study finds.

Researchers looked at a new route planned for U.S. Highway 64 that cut through a forested and agricultural area in Washington County, N.C. The new road included three underpasses with fencing that ran alongside the road near each underpass to funnel animals into the underpasses.

The study is published in the current issue of the Journal of Wildlife Management.

The researchers used cameras and animal track surveys to monitor wildlife activity. During the 13 months after the road was completed, the cameras took 2,433 photos of various animals using the underpasses, including deer, bears, raccoons and domestic dogs and cats.

When the researchers compared data from nearby sections of Highway 64, they found that wildlife deaths were 58 percent lower on the new part of the highway.

The findings suggest that the wildlife underpasses are a cost-effective way to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, said the researchers.

While I like the idea of underpasses to reduce accidents, the Arizona Highway Department has also experimented with a cheaper alternative that seems to be working well.  It was tested in areas where underpasses were cost prohibitive.  The alternative is a 'electric crosswalk.'  Basically fences funnel game to a specific opening where the crosswalk is build.  Using thermal imaging cameras and military-grade tracking software to capture large animal movement in the right of way the system then determines if the animal is large enough to pose a threat to motorists.  If so a flashing sign 500 feet from the end of the fence warns drivers.

Tractor-trailer hits school bus in Louisiana, 2 kids critical

Early this morning a JB Hunt owned truck slammed into the back of a school bus.  The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. on a straight, clear stretch of U.S. 190 between Port Barre and Opelousas, about 50 miles west of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.   The school bus reportedly had it flashers on and stop signs extended at the time of the wreck.  The bus driver apparently saw the truck bearing down on the bus and warned the kids to hold on in anticipation of the collision.  


The impact to the back bumper of the bus was sufficient to push up to the rear wheels of the bus.   For some reason, the truck driver has yet to be cited, although it seems clear that he was driving too fast and failed to keep a proper distance and lookout.  


As someone who has litigated tractor-trailer cases, it is very important to preserve as much evidence as possible and to do so quickly.  The driving logs of the truck driver need to be examined as well as his cell phone and texting records.  Also, data from all event recorders on the truck need to be downloaded immediately, to avoid any loss of data.  


Thankfully, emergency workers arrived quickly and efficiently dispatched injured kids to area hospitals where they received timely treatment.  All 21 kids were injured, 3 originally classified as critical and two underwent emergency surgery.   Let's all hope for complete recoveries for the kids and that JB Hunt and the driver take appropriate responsibility for the wreck.

Don't Drive Drowsy this Holiday Season

More than 40 percent of drivers say they've fallen asleep at the wheel, and about one in ten admitted doing so during the past year, according to a study released Monday by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a nonprofit research and educational organization.  One in every six deadly car crashes results from a fatigue-impaired driver, estimates the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That's compared to about one in three caused by a drunk driver.  "Sleepiness decreases awareness, slows reaction time, and impairs judgment, just like drugs or alcohol," said AAA Foundation President Peter Kissinger in a statement released with the new study.

If you are traveling with your family for the holidays, make sure you get sufficient rest prior to the trip.  Even shorter trips of 2 to 4 hours can be deadly if you are not rested.  Just as importantly, drive defensively and be watchful of other drivers who may be fatigued.  Tractor-trailers present a greater danger when their drivers are fatigued and many of them are also trying to get home for the holidays after a long haul and tempted to drive longer than is safe. 

Keep a close lookout for tractor-trailers and be aware that fatigued tractor-trailer drivers will react more slowly to dangers and are more slow to recognize dangers.  Avoid their blind spots.  If passing a tractor-trailer, be careful not to linger in their blind spot more than necessary.   The blind spot is the point where your car becomes invisible to his mirrors.  Tractor-trailers often have larger blind spots than automobiles.  If you look at his rear view mirrors and can't see the driver's face, you could be in the blind spot. 

Remember these rules and keep your family safe for the holidays.