Woman Nearly Killed After Drill Pipe Crashes Into Her Car
A woman was driving along I-45 on Sunday, December 26, in Friendswood, TX, when a large drill pipe came crashing through her windshield. Her windshield exploded from the impact leaving glass everywhere inside the car.
The woman was left untouched and reported no injury from the crash.
The Drill Pipe Crash
On December 26, a woman was driving along I-45 just outside the 610 Loop when she spotted flying debris. A large drill pipe from the pile of debris crashed into her windshield.
According to authorities, the pipe was within inches of severely injuring or killing the woman. Houston police said that flying debris is a common hazard on Houston highways. AAA stated that most of these accidents occur because people fail to correctly secure their load.
The woman told KHOU in a message for all Houston drivers, “make sure everything is safely secured on that truck or van, nothing can fly off.”
The Importance of Securing Your Load
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), unsecured loads are responsible for about 51,000 accidents each year in North America. These accidents result in nearly 10,000 injuries and 440 fatalities.
Because unsecured loads contribute greatly to the number of accidents on the road, it’s important that drivers properly secure their loads before heading out on the road. To properly keep your cargo under control, follow these safety tips:
Don’t rely on rope or bungee cords to tie down your objects.
Use ratchet straps and cargo nets to give yourself the right amount of torque to secure your load.
Invest in equipment that will safely secure your cargo.
Make sure your items won’t slide around the back of your truck.
Always use two or more tie-downs to ensure proper control of your cargo.
Make sure your straps and tarp don’t become hazards by securing them tightly.
Be sure that your cargo’s weight is centered and placed as close to the axles as possible.
If your load extends over the top of the cab, add extra load securement to the top of your load.
Use a cargo bar for heavier objects.
Check the weight ratings on your anchor points, make sure they’re appropriate for the amount of cargo you’re carrying.
If you’re driving with a load of cargo, you have a responsibility to those on the road to properly secure it. If cargo comes loose from your truck, debris can fly all over the road, littering the streets and possibly injuring other drivers.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, reach out to your Edinburg car accident attorneys at the Law Office of Bobby Garcia today to get started on your legal claim.
Source: KHOU