Construction Accident Halts Freeways 405 and 605’s Operations

In the construction industry, the safety not just of the workers but the general public is of paramount importance. Preventing construction accidents should never be left to chance. This mantra shows in the equipment they use, the safety gear they wear, and the policies that are being implemented in their sites. However, accidents, as cliché-sounding as it may seem, happens when you least expect it to happen. Such is what happened in a construction site along Seal Beach in California.

Beams Falling

The 405 and 605 Freeways were closed in Seal Beach as a construction accident caused injuries to two Caltrans workers. Reports revealed that three of the steel beams in the construction area, which are about 130 feet long and weighs around 60,000 pounds each, fell onto the southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway. These beams fell from a new connector that is set to link the 605 and 405 Freeways.

Aftermath of the Accident

One of the workers feel 25 feet and sustained injuries. He was immediately brought to the Long Beach Memorial medical Center. The man, who is in his 50s was awake and able to talk. Initial findings reveal that he is experiencing pain in his legs and suffered a head injury. Another worker, a 47-year-old man was said to be struck by one of the beams. The man who was standing on a ledge did not fall after being struck by the beam. He was still taken to the hospital and is now in moderate condition.

Because of the accident, both the north and southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway were temporarily closed. This was needed as large equipment that is used to clear the site have occupied both lanes. The north and southbound lanes of the freeway were later on reopened after the clearing operations.

Hero in a Pick-up Truck

We’ve always believes that heroes have to be mythical characters with great superpowers to be able to save people from harm. Well, this story might just prove it all wrong. In fact a hero could be a regular, pick-up truck driving Joe. In Utah, the Syracuse Police are pursuing a 14-year-old made that have taken the car he was driving from his grandfather in Duchesne County. The teen driver was in danger of running over the kids as he was trying to evade the authorities.

Hero in a Pick-up Truck

Bryson Rowley was driving his pick-up truck on a regular day. He got the surprise of his life when he saw a car running wildly. He saw that his and others’ kids in the park were in danger of getting run over by the fleeing vehicle. Bryson, made a quick, unexpected decision. Using his truck as a ram rod, he stopped the fleeing vehicle. The car struck his truck, causing great damage to the car, and injuries to the car’s driver and even to Bryson.

Hero Shrugs Off Accolades

Bryson, who declined to be photographed, has just shrugged the praises he has been getting. He said that he just acted to end the car chase for fears of the safety of his and other children playing at the park. His truck got damaged because of the car crash but he would do the exact same thing all over should it happen again.

Safety in Riding Motorcycles: What You Can Do as a Rider

Taking motorcycle safety into consideration steers you away from the potential of sustaining serious to fatal injuries in the event of an accident. If the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are any indication, it is truly imperative that you prioritize safety when you operate your motorcycle. That way, you avoid yourself becoming a statistic.

A total of 4,957 people riding the motorcycle, whether they were riders or passengers, were killed in 2012, according to the NHTSA. This was a 7-percent increase from the 4,630 fatalities recorded the year prior. The 2012 figure accounted for 15 percent of all traffic deaths, even though motorcycles only made up 3 percent of all vehicles registered in the U.S. during that year. In terms of injuries, the year 2012 also saw an increase, from about 81,000 in 2011 to about 93,000 in 2012.

The statistics mentioned above only goes to show that being a rider entails risks. Knowing to work your way around these risks, however, reduces your chances getting injured in the event of a crash, much less getting killed. So as a rider, here are some things you need to keep in mind:

•    Train yourself on how to operate your ride in the safest manner possible. If you are a novice, rider, you might need to undergo a safety training course to help you with gaining the most important skills, knowledge, and conduct needed for you to become an effective rider. If you are already an expert, you can still take courses, either refresher or a specialized training course. That way, you can always be reminded that riding a long-term motorcycle-riding requires absolute safety at all times.

•    Always equip yourself with a helmet, as well as other protective gears, for safety and for the benefit of other road users as well. Your helmet should be approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, a sign that it passed federal safety standards. It must also complete head-and-face protection. Your gears, from your jacket, pair of pants, boots, to your gloves, increases the level of protection that you need. Also, your gears should be highly-visible, you’d want other riders and other motorists to see you on the road, especially when you are far away from them or you are driving under inclement weather conditions.