Photo By Ana Henderson | Road improvement work along Highway 95, which when complete will make driving the long...... read more read more
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Once fall arrives and daylight hours get shorter, driving, especially along Highway 95 leading to and from U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, becomes even more dangerous.
There are many elements that contribute to the dangers.
It’s now pitch dark at 5:30 a.m. when many employees are making their commute to start their 10-hour shift. Daylight is dwindling as they make their way home in the afternoon.
Also, during the fall, large agricultural work vehicles are on the road heading to their job site because Yuma County is the lettuce capital and harvests other produce. The moist conditions especially in the agricultural fields make for dense fog which adds another element of danger.
YPG Instrumentation Metric Photographer Brian Michael knows this all too well. November will mark a year since his near deadly accident on 95, which he is still recovering from. He was driving in dense fog when hit by three cars.
Also, this time of year, large recreational vehicles are on the road as winter visitors head to their destination. Arizona’s near perfect winter climate brings many seasonal visitors.
Adding to these potential hazards is the road improvement work along Highway 95. When complete the improvements will make driving the long stretch safer yet in the meantime bring heavy machinery, work crews, lower speed limits and at times backed up traffic.
YPG Police Officer Austin Howard points outs a few laws that drivers need to keep in mind.
In Arizona the left lane of a multilane road is strictly for passing or turning. It’s not for drivers in both lanes to keep the same speed and not let other cars pass.
“That’s a big trigger for road rage, being stuck behind someone,” remarks Howard. “In Arizona, you are supposed to drive in the right lane unless you are passing.”
Passing in the right lane is also an infraction.
“Aggressive driving is a driving infraction,” explains Howard.
Aggressive driving includes, speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, passing multiple people and not signaling intent. Any combination of these acts can lead to reckless driving charges. Reckless driving can lead to road rage.
“Road rage is a criminal act,” explains Howard.
“If you are tailgating someone, flashing your lights, going around them, and you are mad enough to swerve at their vehicle. Now you are falling under endangerment which is criminal charges.”
If a person is indited of a criminal offense they can lose their security clearance which would mean losing their job too.
Howard points out, “You driving 10 miles over the speed limit is only going to get you at a maximum, five minutes earlier. So, you getting where you want to go five minutes earlier — is it really worth getting into an accident that could cause you to lose your life or somebody else’s.”
It’s important to note, Agricultural vehicles do not have to move out of your way. The orange placard they display signals they are driving below the speed limit.
Howard and his fellow officers have seen one too many car accidents and gives these words of wisdom, “The main advice is drive the speed limit. It’s there for a reason.”
He adds, “Knowing when to slow down, when to operate your high and low beams. Being aware of your surroundings. Keeping your eyes not just in the middle of the road but the sides as well,” and watching for wildlife and not swerving causing your car to roll if you do encounter wildlife will improve your chances of getting to your destination safety.
| Date Taken: | 11.06.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.06.2024 08:45 |
| Story ID: | 484266 |
| Location: | YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 40 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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