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| Kayne Kraus |
By Kayne Kraus
I’ve only been with the Kansas
Turnpike for a couple of years now, and just like many of my fellow co-workers,
I’ve already had a close call in a work zone.
Last summer, while we were
string lining to prepare for painting, I heard a nearly indescribable sound
behind me. It was like a loud “BOOM!” but even that description isn’t quite
right. The noise scared me half to death, and when I turned around, there was a
vehicle sandwiched between the wall and the attenuator. The driver had fallen
asleep at the wheel and hit the attenuator that was a couple hundred feet
behind me. Fortunately, the driver was alright, though clearly in shock of what
had just happened.
This isn’t a unique story. In
fact, you will find similar stories in work zones across the country each year.
But, I can’t help but wonder - What if the attenuator hadn’t been there?
Would the driver have been injured, or worse? What would have happened to me,
or my co-workers?
This would be a different story,
and very possibly, one I wouldn’t be telling myself.
It’s
easy to let these moments get to you. When you have an experience like this, it
can rattle you. Some of my co-workers have had their own close calls in work
zones. It’s scary to think that these life-threatening moments could have had a
different ending. What’s even scarier is that more than likely this will happen
again.
Please, I urge all drivers - pay
attention while you’re driving, and especially in work zones. Put down the
phone. Stop to eat. Get plenty of rest. We have families and friends we want to
get home safely to. Drive like you work here.
Thanks for sharing your story, Kayne, and for all the work you do caring for the roadway.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are alright, Kayne! Thank goodness that life-saving equipment was there to save you and your crew. But this entire situation could have been avoided if drivers would just get enough rest and ditch the distractions before they get behind the wheel.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all you do!
Gosh, that's so scary, wow - close calls seem to happen a lot. People need to pull over and not create dangerous situations. That could have ended much worse for both of you. Very thankful everyone is ok.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kayne for sharing your story! Many of these stories could change in an instant, and I'm so glad yours turned out okay.
ReplyDeleteI like your last statement, Drive like you work here. If more people thought like that the roads would be a lot safer.
ReplyDeleteStay safe out there Kayne! Along with all highway workers. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNo idea what an attenuator is.
ReplyDeleteat·ten·u·a·tor
/əˈtenyəˌwādər/
Learn to pronounce
noun
a device consisting of an arrangement of resistors which reduces the strength of a radio or audio signal.
An impact attenuator, also known as a crash cushion, crash attenuator, or cowboy cushion, is a device intended to reduce the damage to structures, vehicles, and motorists resulting from a motor vehicle collision. Impact attenuators are designed to absorb the colliding vehicle's kinetic energy. They can be fixed on a highway, or attached to a large truck.
Deletehttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_attenuator
Amazing that you're OK. We recently had a long distance trip and saw SO many people driving recklessly and even some "weird" accidents that surly could have been avoided. It was a HUGE mistake to take driver's education classes out of the high school curriculum -- many drivers have NO IDEA how to drive, put down their phones or get preoccupied with all the different gadgets automobiles are allowed to have in vehicles nowadays!!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad everyone was ultimately safe. thanks for sharing this story - I will be sharing with our construction team.
ReplyDeleteGreat quote, "Drive like you work here", this would be great signage in all work zones! We need to change it up, people are warning weary, always the same signs. Happy to spend my tax dollars to save a family from a tragedy. Everyone deserves to go home at night!
ReplyDeleteDearest Kansas Turnpike Employees,
ReplyDeleteThank you for all that you do to make our roads safer with updates and improvements. It's ironic that some drivers make your work more dangerous while you are making the roads safer for them. Seriously consider starting/ending your shifts with Prayer. Sounds like you need all the help you can get....