TIPS FROM TROOPERS TUESDAY
(June 18, 2019) — This past weekend was a very tragic weekend on our roads. Across the state we had three motor vehicle fatalities, one involving a motorcycle in Haddam, one was a single vehicle accident and the third was a two car fatality. We also came frighteningly close to losing one of our own Troopers as his cruiser was struck by another driver on busy I-95 in Bridgeport. In light of this we thought it was a good time to talk to the State Police our CARS (Collision Analysis Reconstruction Squad) Unit Investigators whose primary job it is to investigate fatal and serious injury motor vehicle accidents, whether that accident involves the motoring public or our own Troopers (or both). We asked CARS investigators to provide us with the five things they see most often when they investigate fatal and serious injury accidents. Here is their response:
Speed: We’ve all heard the saying, speed kills. When you speed you have less opportunity to react, brake and avoid collisions. When your speed is too fast your impact with whatever object you strike has that much greater force behind it, making it more likely to cause serious injury or fatality. This is the biggest reason that the CARS Unit is called to a fatality. TIP: Slow your speeds and you just may affect the outcome of whether you die in a crash or walk away.
Inattention/Distracted Driving: CARS Unit Troopers advise that distractions while driving, including texting and cell phone related distractions, as well as general inattention (yelling at the kids, letting the dog sit in your lap) often lead to crashes that end in serious injury or fatalities. TIP: Put the phone down and put the dog in the back seat, be aware of your surroundings and what the vehicles around you are doing.
Poorly Maintained Vehicle: Your tires, brakes, windshield wipers etc., should ALL be in good working order. Troopers say that you can have lightning fast reflexes, but if your tires are bald or your brakes are faulty it simply won’t matter. TIP: Stay on top of vehicle maintenance, it may save your life.
Driving Drunk: This one seems pretty obvious but we are including it among our top five reasons Troopers have to investigate a serious injury or fatal accident. OF NOTE: Drunk drivers are also most often the ones who drive the wrong way on the road. TIP: Please. Just don’t drive drunk.
Size of Your Car: In this case size does matter. Troopers say that they most often see fatalities in smaller vehicles that have impacted other vehicles and/or objects that are much larger. TIP: Not everyone wants a pickup or a big SUV, we get that. However, if you do have a smaller car make sure that you follow all of the other things listed here and your chances of survival in a crash will still increase.
Also worth noting: You are much more likely to survive a crash if you are inside the vehicle and not ejected from it at a high rate of speed, so buckle up! Another tip for those with children: CARS Unit Troopers advise that children who are in the middle seat of three are more likely to survive crashes with side impacts.
