Texas Driver Safety and Training

Why did the chicken cross the road? To show the armadillo that it can be done!

From the semi-tropical coastal plain to the mountainous deserts in the west, Texas is unique among all the states and, other than alpine meadows and arctic tundra, Texas has just about every type of landscape that one can encounter. The varying landscape means varying populations of animals that can pose dangers if they are encountered on the roadway. From alligators in the southeast to antelope and mule deer in the west, Texas has it all and each animal poses its own particular type of hazards. Being aware of the animal populations one can encounter and learning how to deal with an animal or herd of animals on the road is critical.

According to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, approximately 200 motorists each year are killed in animal related collisions, either from direct impact with a large animal or veering off the road or into oncoming traffic while trying to avoid hitting the animal. In addition to the deaths, more than 26,000 motorists are involved in animal related crashes each year.

No matter how small or large, all animals, wild or domestic, can pose hazards to drivers. No one wants to injure or kill an animal that has wandered out into the road but, if that happens, drivers face some critical decisions and they often have to make that decision within a second or two. Having a plan in advance can make that decision process a lot shorter.

When encountering an animal, the natural response is to veer out of the way to avoid hitting it but that can be a fatal choice. Drivers need to be aware that they can encounter an animal at any time and they need to be aware of the driving situation around them in order to make the best choice. Unfortunately, quite often, the best choice for a driver is to hit the animal. Veering to avoid the animal can take you into oncoming traffic or off the roadway where it is difficult to recover. Veering to avoid the animal can have tragic consequences not only for you and your passengers but also for other motorists on the road.

The deaths in animal related collisions most often involved deer. Deer can be a catch-all phrase for any type of large, hoofed animal and Texas has quite a few of them. Understanding the behavior of these animals and where they can be encountered, can help a driver prepare for an encounter.

• White Tailed Deer - This animal is the most common type of deer found in the US and can be encountered in any part of Texas. Deer tend to herd in small groups made up primarily of does and their offspring. Deer are most commonly encountered in the early morning or at dusk and can be seen foraging along the side of the road. If you see one deer, you can count on others being nearby. Before sunrise or at dusk, your first hint of a deer along the road may be the reflection of your headlights in their eyes. If you see deer, start slowing immediately and sound your horn. Do not flash your bright lights or you will encounter the proverbial deer caught in the headlights phenomenon where the deer freeze in place. Your best bet is to scare them with your horn and hope that they run back into the woods but be prepared for them to escape across the roadway directly into your path.
• Mule Deer - This animal is most commonly found in the arid southwest part of the state. Mule deer have seasonal migrations in the spring and fall when they move to higher elevations and back in search of food. Weather conditions can also force them to migrate into areas where they are not commonly seen. Just like the White Tail, these animals tend to hide away under the shelter of trees during the heat of the day and come out to forage at dusk and dawn. Unlike the White Tail Deer, the Mule Deer does not wave its white tail in the air. Some species of Mule Deer have dark tails and all species tend to keep their tails down making them more difficult to see at night than the White Tail Deer.
• Pronghorn Antelope - This animal is most often encountered in the high plains from the Panhandle to the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. Pronghorn normally live alone or in small bands during the summer but gather into large herds during the winter. Unlike the deer, this animal forages at all times of the day and night. The Pronghorn is the fastest land animal in the western hemisphere and can easily run at speeds of 45 mph for long distances and can, in some instances, reach speeds of up to 60 mph. Unlike the Cheetah, which can only run at high speeds for short spurts, the Pronghorn can maintain a high speed for long distances. Encountering a Pronghorn at these speeds combined with the speed of your vehicle can be devastating.
• Fallow Deer - This animal is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe but was brought to Texas for hunting purposes. These deer were primarily kept on ranges but have broken out and now occupy 93 Texas counties with a population of approximately 14,000 animals. Their behavior is similar to the White Tail and Mule Deer. The males gather in small bachelor groups. Females and their young are normally segregated into their own groups.

Labels: crash prevention techniques, driving safety, road hazards, texas roadways

It's a beautiful sunny day, perfect weather for some All-Terrain Vehicle driving to make the most of the gorgeous weather! So if you're planning on going out riding your four-wheeler over the coming year, it's important that you're safe and know all you need to know about being safe on your ATV.

ATVs, or All Terrain Vehicles, are small, motorized vehicles with 4, or sometimes 3, wheels. They also have large, low-pressure tires, and are designed to mainly be used by one driver in off-road areas, and off public roads. They are generally not safe for children or even young teenagers, as they don't often have the strength and skill to fully steer and handle them properly, however, a lot of children and teenagers are still using them, and more and more youths are finding themselves injured each year after an incident involving ATVs.

In Canada alone, nearly 25% of deaths and more than a third of serious injuries related to ATVs are amongst children who are under the age of 15, some ATV related injuries have even been found amongst children as young as 1 year old.

With such frightening statistics, the first important tip you should know is to never let your children use ATV's alone. Nowadays you can buy ATVs that are specially designed to carry a passenger, but single driver ATVs must not, under any circumstances, carry a passenger. Extra weight on an ATV designed only for one passenger can affect the balance of the vehicle, and make it difficult for the driver to keep control. If the child is under 16 years of age, they must never ride as a passenger on a 2 person ATV.

You should always take an approved, hands on training course before using an ATV. Remember, the Texas ATV Law restricts ATV drivers on property owned or leased by the state or a political subdivision of the state, including public parks, recreation areas, hunting lands or public roadways. The State of Texas also has certification requirements. A driver must attend a Texas state-approved ATV rider certification course before driving on public lands.

Without the appropriate training, you are not only putting yourself at risk, but the people around you too, so it's always essential that before you go off road in your AVT, you know exactly what you're doing and have a feel for all of the controls. Remember; you are more likely to be seriously injured on an ATV if you don't fully know how to use it properly, so set a good example of behavior for those around you, especially younger children who may be more impressionable.

Of course when you're riding an ATV, it is imperative you always wear the correct safety clothing, a helmet is an ATV safety essential, never ride without one, it could make the difference between life and death. Also, don't neglect other vulnerable parts of your body, so always wear the correct boots, along with other safety pads in order to make sure you are fully protected when riding.

Make sure when you're driving your ATV, that you are on the appropriate surface for your ATV, never ride on paved surfaces as it can seriously affect your handling, and send you spinning towards pedestrians or anyone else who might be around. Riding responsibly is not only important for your own safety, but for the safety of other trails users.

It's always important to take care when driving an ATV, never drive or be a passenger on a single driver ATV, never drive an ATV without experience and training, always wear safety gear and always inspect your ATV before riding it. It's the simple things that make the difference, and sometimes simply being aware can make a massive difference.

Learn more ATV driver safety tips at the Nation Safety Commission.

Labels: all terrain vehicles, atv accidents, atv injuries, atv safety