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EDITORIAL: Motorists must remain alert along interstatesJul 18, 2012 (The Brunswick News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Motorists beware: if you break down on an interstate or if you feel the need to pull over to the side then be smart about it. Pull as far over to the right as possible, even if it means going into the grass. And don't ever just step outside from the driver's side without checking first to make sure the right lane is free of traffic. Sadly, anyone who fails to adhere to this advice could be in for a protracted hospital stay -- that is, if they are lucky enough to survive a strike or a bump from a vehicle or 18-wheeler traveling 70 mph or greater. Few live to tell about it. Simply stated, stay away from -- as far away from as possible -- oncoming vehicles and trucks. Always. No exceptions. No exceptions ever. People might think oncoming motorists see them soon enough and clear enough to give them ample room when outside the vehicle in the emergency stopping shoulder lane, but don't count on it. It only takes a slight distraction -- like chatting on a cell phone or, worse, texting on a cell phone or being deeply occupied with some activity going on in the vehicle -- to steer or swerve just enough to the right to change a life or lives forever. It happens all the time. Just Tuesday morning, it happened in Atlanta. The driver stepped outside his vehicle to inspect damage to his car and was killed by a passing vehicle. Gone. Just like that. We've had similar accidents in Glynn County on Interstate 95. Protect yourself and all passengers in the vehicle. Get as far away from traffic as possible, regardless of conditions or visibility. Parents, advise your children to do likewise. Unlike adults, teens are not always aware of the dangers around them. ___ (c)2012 The Brunswick News (Brunswick, Ga.) Visit The Brunswick News (Brunswick, Ga.) at www.thebrunswicknews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |