At Seneca Meadows, our core focus on safety is what we can control. We cannot control the seasonal weather hazards or the number of hours of daylight, but we can control our safe behaviors.
We also must be ready for the unexpected, and the following behaviors can help during the winter seasonal hazards we may encounter with changing weather patterns and reduced visibility:
Safe driving behaviors:
- Be aware of drooping utility lines covered in snow or ice
- Be aware of blind spots created by snow piles
- Provide ample time for eyesight to adjust to light conditions
- Slow down and increase your following distance
- Always use headlights
- Be alert for pedestrians especially where pedestrian traffic is expected
Safe pedestrian behaviors:
- Avoid distractions especially near roads and cross walks
- Obtain direct line of sight prior to entering traffic
- See and be seen by others, including other foot traffic
- Obey traffic control signals
- Utilize designated cross walks and side walks
According to the Journal of Safety Research, fatal crashes among pedestrians and bicyclists increase by 13% after the fall time change.
Kyle Black is the District Manager at Seneca Meadows Landfill located in Seneca Falls, New York.