MASTER SGT. EMILY SHEPARD
U.S. Army Reserve Command Headquarters
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

As a middle-aged female who’s had my license since I was 16, I would consider myself a safe driver. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve consciously tried to drive more defensively, paying attention to road conditions and other motorists. In my younger years, I admit I took more risks while driving, like speeding or impatiently maneuvering through traffic. However, I’ve come to realize that speeding does not get you to your destination faster, and aggressive driving only seems to make other drivers angry and cause you more stress and anxiety. In my newfound wisdom, I’ve changed the way I drive. Despite my efforts to be a more aware, safer driver, about a year ago, I found myself on a single-lane expressway in Dallas, Texas, guiding 18-wheelers, RVs and buses past my crashed SUV to avoid creating a traffic jam.

It was a Sunday afternoon, and the roads were clear through Dallas as I headed to Fort Worth to visit my sister and pick up my children after a battle assembly weekend. In true Texas weather fashion, I encountered a downpour as I traveled through Irving, so I reduced my speed and increased the following distance between myself and the car in front of me. I figured I would get through the rain clouds, the roads would clear up, and I’d come into sunshine and blue sky on the other side. Well, that wasn’t the case.

As I came around a slight curve that I’d traveled hundreds of times before, I noticed the rain caused pooling in the bend. I could feel my tires hydroplane and I began to lose control of my vehicle. Hitting the right-side concrete jersey barrier seemed inevitable. I took my foot off the gas and didn’t hit the brakes, but to avoid hitting the right barrier, I pulled the steering wheel hard to the left. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do and I collided with the barrier.

The force of the impact threw me against the door as my SUV skidded to a stop beside the barrier and every emergency signal lit up on my instrument panel. I knew the front-right tire and axle were destroyed. In my shock and, really, embarrassment, I froze. As I sat there in my totaled car, I lost all thought of what to do next. I called my husband, who was on the road himself and over 100 miles away, thinking he would be able to miraculously fix it. Once I calmed down and my heart rate returned to normal, I collected myself and went into resolution mode.

I called 911 and reported the mishap before contacting my insurance company to arrange a tow. As I waited, I watched multiple cars come around that same bend and almost do exactly what I did, with three of them also crashing. When the police arrived, they told me I was the fifth accident in that spot that day. Luckily, my sister was close enough to come pick me up.

While my accident ruined the afternoon, I was grateful for the way things turned out. My vehicle did end up being totaled, but I was alive and had no serious injuries, which I attributed to wearing my seat belt. I thought about what else I could have done to avoid the accident altogether. Maybe I should have slowed down more or pulled off the expressway until the rain stopped. Hindsight is always 20/20. However, since that day, it has been difficult for me to drive in the rain, and I try to avoid it if I can. This mishap was a blow to my confidence in my driving abilities and a reminder that anything can happen on the road to anyone at any time.

Regardless of driving experience and despite taking measures to prevent an accident, no one is 100 percent safe from motor vehicle mishaps. Weather can change in an instant, and road defects, such as the pooling rainwater, and driver overconfidence can lead to a disaster quickly. It is important to apply risk management before an accident occurs, but it is equally important to know what to do when one does happen. Have an emergency action plan in place. Know who to call and what to do to keep yourself safe and to reduce panic and frustration in what can be a scary and chaotic situation.

FYI

If you are involved in a roadside emergency such as a crash or blown tire, do not let your focus or frustration distract you from the serious dangers posed by other drivers. Follow these tips to remain as safe as possible:

• Emergency equipment – Ensure the emergency equipment you carry in your vehicle includes warning triangles and a reflective vest, along with a first aid kit, extra water and food, and emergency repair supplies, including tools, a spare tire, duct tape, jack, jumper cables, heavy-duty rope, gloves and canned tire inflator.
• Get off the road – When you first discover an issue with your vehicle, find a safe spot to pull over as far off the road as possible. The most important thing is to get out of the path of traffic.
• Make yourself visible – Turn on your hazard lights and headlights, and once you have pulled over, place reflective emergency triangles to alert oncoming traffic while wearing reflective gear.
• Exit the vehicle carefully – Exit the vehicle from the side farthest from the road and stay as far away from traffic as possible. Do not exit the vehicle if it is not safe to do so — remain inside with your seat belt on and call 911 for assistance.
• Traffic warning triangles – Place a minimum of one warning triangle, but preferably three, to improve visibility. Place the first triangle 10 feet behind your vehicle on the side closest to the road. Place a second warning triangle 100 feet directly behind your vehicle. Place a third triangle 300 feet behind your vehicle on the side farthest from the road.
• Limit your exposure – Know when to call a professional. If the required repair is beyond your capabilities or will expose you to heavy traffic, return to your vehicle, buckle up and call for assistance.

For additional information, check out the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center’s emergency roadside assistance brochure. Click here to download your copy.