Car accidents are scary for everyone involved. This includes those involved in the crash, emergency responders and other motorists trying to drive around the accident. Car accidents not only create more traffic delays and frustration, they also can cause secondary crashes.
The Ohio Department of Transportation and State Patrol are asking motorists to be more aware of their surroundings, especially when approaching a car accident scene. Ohio has a program called QuickClear that is responsible for responding and cleaning up car accidents.
QuickClear is formed by Ohio firefighters, emergency responders, law enforcement, transportation personnel and towing and recovery services. They are responsible for responding to a car accident, clearing subsequent traffic incidents and cleaning up the accident quickly to keep traffic flowing.
The Ohio DOT said that law enforcement and other QuickClear workers cannot improve traffic safety on their own. To increase safety, the DOT has been promoting awareness of the QuickClear program and the role motorists play in keeping everyone safe on the road after an accident occurs.
The Ohio DOT recommended the following tips for motorists when they are approaching the scene of an accident:
- If involved in an accident, try and move your vehicle out of travel lanes.
- Motorists need to slow down and move over when they see police or emergency vehicles on the road.
- Motorists should not follow other vehicles too closely, especially around the scene of a car accident as other drivers tend to slow down or may even stop.
Drivers not involved in car accidents can still be at risk so it is important to make sure you are practicing safe driving behaviors and pay attention while driving around an accident.
Source: Vinton Daily, “State Patrol and ODOT urge drivers to aid accident responders,” Dec. 15, 2012
