We were fixing guardrail on I-70. It was the end of the day
and we had just finished up and were picking up traffic control. We were getting close to the end of the taper
picking up our cones. We were using the
36-inch cones with the 6-pound weight at that time.
The arrow board was still on with its message, directing
traffic into the passing lane. I was at the last cone near the arrow board and
reached down and picked it up. On my way up, it slipped out of my hand and
proceeded to roll out in the driving lane. I bent down quick in hopes to grab
it and WHOOSH!! I felt something bump the top of my hat and knock it off my
head.
I looked up and a motorhome WHOOSHED by, running over the
cone. It was still in the driving lane and the driver failed to move over. Boy!
That day was an eye opener for me and how dangerous it was working on the
highway.
Ever since that day, I decided that whenever I am on the highway
that I would scan the area every three to five seconds to look for hazards. Had
I have scanned the driving lane to see if traffic were there, I would not have
had this close call. I had only been working for KDOT for probably less than five
years - it sure made me respect the highway.
Since I made the choice to implement the scan method in my
everyday life, I have been able to be more proactive and see potential crashes
or incidents before they happen and get out of the way of them. I even find
myself doing this in parking lots when I’m off of work, and let me tell you, it
has saved me several times.
Highway workers, whether KDOT or private contractors, are
in a whole new and different environment compared to the average person. I have
seen a lot of people (including myself) who get upset at people who do not move
over. This may be a legitimate reason to get mad, but I try not to. Think about
it for a second. We all know what it feels like to have someone fly by us at 90
mph, but the traveling public has no idea at all. They do not know that when
they went by, that they about knocked you off your feet. They are oblivious to
it. We cannot control them. All we can
do is control how we react. And if you choose to get upset and mad, that only
makes your day more difficult.
If we could put every person traveling the highway at
centerline just one day and they could see what we go through, then things may
change. We all know this is impossible
to do, so highway workers need to implement ways and follow guidelines of being
safe in work zones.
Thank you
