In light of the Jan. 9, 2015 Interstate 94 massive vehicle pileup, it is a good time to reflect on our industry and the many miles we drive every day. The pileup near Galesburg, Mich., involved 193 vehicles and closed both east and westbound lanes for two days. The videos of the accident shown by every major news outlet were shocking. Weeks after the pileup, experts have been questioning how such a massive crash could happen. Speculation about weather, poor road conditions, driver speed and distracted driving are among the suspected causes. This stretch of highway in west Michigan is heavily traveled by water well-drilling companies and industry professionals every day.
This accident is a reminder for all of us to take a moment to reflect on our own driving ability and safety. When an accident occurs on a jobsite or while driving equipment to a jobsite, I try to put myself in the situation. Could I have stopped in time? Would I have been driving distracted? Could I have been driving too fast for the weather conditions? What other variables could hurt me in a collision?