Risk Management Magazine

Millions of motorists take to the road every day, but most don't realize the pivotal role that driver's training and thorough safety inspections play in averting catastrophic tire blowouts and safeguarding lives. Join me on a journey as I recount a harrowing incident on a scorching summer afternoon, where swift action and preparedness prevented a potentially fatal rollover.

It was a typical day in Tennessee — nice weather, beautiful scenery and plenty of fun things to do. I was in high school and, like many people throughout the country, raced all-terrain vehicles during my free time. I’d never taken an official safety course, but my father did a good job giving me instruction on proper riding techniques.

As a sergeant with the Louisiana State Police, I often respond to the scenes of fatal accidents. The hardest part of my job, however, is not seeing these tragic deaths; it’s having to tell loved ones that a family member is not coming home.