On July 12 a police driver had to jump on a moving crane after it had crashed into multiple cars on the Long Island Expressway, Hauppauge Suffolk County. After hitting four cars near exit 57 and being spotted by the police, the 47-year-old took off in his crane. Around Exit 63, Joseph Goss, a highway patrol officer, jumped in to the crane once it slowed down to stop the vehicle from hitting anyone else. The driver was presumed to be drunk.
According to the officer “My primary goal was getting that car stopped and just keeping other motorists away from him, because if he made…slight contact, it would just shred their car apart.” Officer Goss had a similar experience back in 2016, where he was able to park the moving vehicle of a woman, who was on drugs, with a baby in the back seat.
The crane driver refused to take a breathalyzer at the scene of the accident, meaning his license was suspended right away. He is currently facing DWI charges. Fortunately, the victims in the four vehicles that were hit only had to suffer minor injuries. This is especially fortunate since the potential damage a rogue crane driver on the LIE can do is tremendous.
Unfortunately, we cannot escape the possibility of there being a drunk driver on the road. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of 2016, 29 people die every day from a drunk driver, meaning every 50 minutes someone will be killed in a car accident due to someone else’s poor judgment. The best way to protect yourself is to pay attention to the best of your abilities to recognize a dangerous driver and take the necessary defensive driving measures.
Take note of the signs of a drunk driver. Teach your children who may now be driving as well so they can learn to drive defensively as well. A driver may be drunk if he/she is:
If you see some of these things taking place, it is likely you are sharing the road with a drunk driver. First and foremost you want to stay safe, and then do what you can to report the driver. Follow these steps:
We can be thankful that someone like Officer Goss was able to protect the crane driver from causing further danger to the people driving on the Long Island Expressway. It reminds us how unpredictable and dangerous the roads can be sometimes. Sometimes being in the wrong place at the wrong time can result in serious injury. If this is the case for you or a loved one and you have been injured because of someone else’s poor judgement, you should contact us and let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
On Long Island this Saturday night there was another fatal car accident involving a driver alleged to be driving while under the influence. The accident occurred in Greeport, a small community on the North Fork of Long Island. The driver, John Costello was charged with driving while intoxicated. Shortly before 7 pm, Mr. Costello’s car allegedly crossed over into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle head on. A passenger in the vehicle struck by Mr. Costello’s car died.
This tragedy is a reminder that driving during the holiday season can sometimes be dangerous, especially at night. There are many reasons for the increased risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident at this time of year. Many people are attending holiday parties for the office or with friends and family. Inevitably, this leads to more people consuming alcohol and driving.
And who hasn’t noticed the traffic on the roads this time of year? It seems as if everyone is out there running errands, shopping and racing to get where they need to be. Tempers are high from waiting on long lines at the store and patience is low. I think everyone can relate to the level of driver courtesy this time of year being lower than at other times for all of these reasons.
Crowded roadways, impatient drivers and the consumption of alcohol all pose a significant risk to your safety on the roads this holiday season. So how can you ensure you and your family remain safe on the way to your holiday gatherings? It’s a good idea to keep an eye out for people that may be driving while under the influence. There are some signs that you can look out for that may save your life.
Here are some tips:
1 – Many intoxicated drivers have trouble maintaining their driving lane. Swerving in and out of lanes is a sure sign that a driver may be intoxicated.
2 – Another sign a driver may be intoxicated is failing to observe traffic control devices. Be wary of the driver that rolls past a stop sign or runs a red light.
3 – Intoxicated drivers often speed, or drive well below the speed limit. So watch out for people driving at speeds that are unusual for the particular road that you are on.
Unfortunately, no matter how careful that you are, it is not always possible to avoid drunk drivers. The best solution may be to avoid driving during the times when there are likely to be drunk drivers on the road. Usually, the later in the evening that you are on the road the more of a chance that there will be intoxicated drivers. Try and avoid driving at those times if possible.
Lastly, it wouldn’t hurt if everyone took a little more care while driving this month. Have courtesy for your fellow drivers, and remember that everyone has someplace to be. Hopefully, with a little care and planning everyone will remain happy and healthy this holiday season.