Lessons can be learned along the highways
Last weekend I was travelling between Calgary and Lethbridge and it was a rarity that I was the passenger. As one would expect, the highways were full of campers, boats and utility trailers adorned with off-road vehicles, paddleboards, kayaks, canoes and many other recreational toys.
It is great to see citizens taking a much deserved break and even more encouraging to see the combination of recreation, physical activity and the great outdoors. As a passenger, I had time to think and, as the great Dobie Gray sang ✦drive in 1973, drift away. The
took me back in time to a young Constable Davis keeping an eye on the shoulders of the road. The shoulders of the road? Let me explain.
A strategy I was taught by a colleague many years ago as a young Constable on patrol was to try and monitor the shoulders of the highways and ditches in the summer time. I was policing in an area that was synonymous with summer camping, boating and off-road vehicles. The philosophy was if people are drinking and driving they would toss their beer cans or cooler bottles before they got into populated areas or areas where they would suspect the police would be.
Another part of the strategy was to look for piles of cans and bottles as it was usually a good indicator that nature had called and it was where people stopped to relieve themselves between populated areas. It worked and it helped us determine where we could better deploy to address the instances of drinking and driving.
Another item we would look for were areas where bungee cords and tie-down straps would wind up accumulating at the side of the road. This was typically in bumpy areas or where there were unexpected repairs to a road or the road had dips and heaves that were not natural. The heaving of the vehicle and trailer would cause enough slack in whatever was being used as a tie down and it would fall off.
The intent of looking for these areas was to help identify the area and vehicles that had lost a tie-down strap or one half of the tie down was dangling rendering it useless. This was less about enforcement and more about helping the recreationists and their gear get safely to their destination as most often they had no idea they had a loose strap. I vividly recall a few trucks with boats and trailers that it is an absolute miracle that everything was intact and had not become road wreckage. After a few minutes and some tightening of straps or some creative knot tying the people and their gear were safely on their way.
I did not see a lot of beer cans and cooler bottles along Highway 2 and I hope that is indicative that society has come a long way when it comes to drinking and driving in the three decades I have been policing.
However, I did see a few areas where bungee cords and tie-down straps had accumulated and it was in the terrain I described earlier. A short while later, I saw a vehicle travelling the opposite direction with the rear of a tie down dangling and sparking along the highway.
It may not seem like a big deal but ensuring your cargo is securely fastened is a big part of highway safety. It is unbelievable how a towed object can launch when it is being towed at highway speeds. Once the object launches it becomes an out of control projectile with the potential to hurt or kill other motorists.
Try and develop a habit of doing a walk around your vehicle, including the trailer. Time it with your breaks for fuel, the washroom or to stretch and you will have a pretty decent inspection regimen. Check that any items you have tied down are still secure. Ensure the straps are snug and in place. This little ounce of prevention will ensure you and your gear get to your destination safely and keep all citizens using our highways safe.