When Things Fall

I am very interested in how the media is reporting the news on a collision. The focus of the collision is pieces of the bridge fell on a vehicle as it traveled under the bridge.

Well, the piece may not have fallen off the bridge had the truck not hit the side of the bridge. I am not sure how sufficient a bridge needs to be to withstand a hit from a truck. No matter how it bad the situation, if you hit the bridge, you may cause it to be deficient.

You may be lucky if the pieces of concrete do not penetrate your vehicle. But if it does, you want the best responders to be there, to get you out and to the hospital ASAP. And that is exactly what happened.

I pray for the drivers.

Interesting Developments

I have to say that working for someone who makes up the rules as they go is extremely frustrating.

To be called on the carpet about your duties and being accountable is a very interesting issue. But to learn that your boss, who is making this a big issue also has some accountability issues.

Why enforce the rules if you are not going to follow the rules?

Is It Every Okay?

This afternoon, I was called to an injury traffic collision in the area of 7900 East 41st Street. While out there assisting the officer who was assigned the collision, I had a driver, drive over the double yellow lines in an attempt to make a left turn.

Now I have to ask, "Is it ever okay to violate the law, endanger yourself and others just to make a left turn?"

Now this individual apparently thought that it was a good decision to go around a police vehicle, with flashing lights. One of these lights were an arrow stick, the kind that signals go left, right or around. Well the light was on "to go right". However, this driver thought that ignoring the light was a good idea. Crossing the center line (that double yellow line), you know the one that indicates, NO PASSING! He went across those lines and began driving in the inside west bound lane.

This driver was actually shocked that I was not happy with him. He was also shocked that I found multiple violations with this vehicle. One of those violations was having a tag that expired in January of 2009.

I guess you could say, do something stupid in front of an officer, you may deserve many citations....Oh, and you car may be towed.

Working a Overtime Shift

I got the opportunity to work an overtime shift for Gilcrease Division. At about 7:35 pm, I received a call to check an odor that was making people sick and giving them a headache. Upon arrival, we confirmed the information. There was a call that was a strong chemical smell and people were complaining about being sick.

The odor was located and a plan was put into action. After knocking on the door, we discovered the smell was stronger when they opened the door. Inside we found three males cooking meth the "shake and bake" way.

One active meth lab closed and three people got the opportunity to go to jail.

The unfortunate thing about this whole ordeal was the fact that the residence in the complex could not be in their apartment for over five hours.

Not yet committed to daily posts

Well, I have discovered that I am not committed to daily post on my blog. I will just keep working to make this my goal. I am trying to learn as much technology as I can acquire. I feel that utilizing this blog will also help me with learning other forms of technology.

Touring in a radio car can be very interesting. Once you learn you job, you have the opportunity to provide assistance and hopefully teach some people some skills or at least relieve their pain when something bad happens. Although there are sometimes when you just have to laugh.

The first radio call was to back an officer on a jackknifed semi. I was taught when I received my training for my commercial chauffeurs license, that if you truck is empty, you should drive slower and safer. I guess this guy did not get the same training. An empty tractor trailer, heading for the military depot to haul explosives. This guy just jackknifed a semi and he is hired to haul explosives! OMG, lets all get off the road, while he is driving. The photos can be seen on Channel six (KOTV.com).

So I guess I will move with a few safety tips. When it rains, and the roads are wet, you should slow down 5 to 10 miles per hour on your daily travels. It is better to arrive alive, that never make it to your destination. You also need to keep two (2) car lengths between you and the person in front of you. If you on the highway, you should keep three (3) car lengths between.

Another safety suggestion, look ahead while you drive. Scan the roadway, close to your car and several hundred yards to a mile ahead. This will allow you enough notice to move over when someone driving a junk car on the road has a flat. While they are changing the tire, they just might occupy the lane. So avoid a collision, MOVE OVER!

The question was raised today by a news crew from OKC. Should it be against the law for an operator of a motor vehicle to talk on the cellular phone? To text while driving?

Do we need another law restricting acts? Or should we target current laws & ordinances that would be utilized to enforce inattentative driving for those who talk on the phone?

Do we need a law that says if you are going to operate a motor vehicle, you should utilize a hands free device?

The one thing that I know, is that no one is going to please anyone with a law restricting the use of cellular phones. NOT even a photo like this one. A two lane road, cellular phone, and a tree line. Makes for a hard experience, but an unbelievble outcome. Surprisingly no serious injuries. He walked away, after being cut out by the fire department.

I guess the famous quote is in line here, "Fly no faster than your guardian angels can fly."

Yesterday we were told that the administrators were going to enforce a policy that requires traffic officers to wear the class A uniform. This uniform is 100% wool. I believe that for Oklahoma weather, this is a bit too much, especially in blue. But today, I went to work wearing the class A uniform.

Today, being in a vehicle may have been a little difficult. Specific traffic laws should be observed to keep yourself from getting into a collision. Especially if you do not know the area very well. When a light is green, it may not give you permission to turn left. The sign may say something like, Left Arrow protects left turns, solid green requires one to yield to any vehicle that is close enough to constitute a hazard. If you don't, you may get T-Boned as you make your turn.

The other call, that created some controversy, is that pesky little turn lane (fifth lane, third lane, the lane used for left turns only). This lane is not used for merging, neither is it used for normal driving, just cause you want to get there faster. But if you choose to drive in this lane, then you may crash when someone is going to enter the lane legally.

Working in the Rain

I am not sure why this happens, but people seem to drive everyday like it is sunny outside. When it rains, they should be cautious, but they drive ("drive 55") like its a race track outside. The delivery truck could not make its deliveries. The driver was trying to see if he could skate on the "piss test".



Another collision was the fact that the driver thought that by having a turn signal on, gave you the right to change lanes and make everyone get out of your way. This driver learned a valuable lesson (I hope) after they went spinning off the highway, after hitting the big truck. 30,000 lbs, vs. 3,000 lbs, is no match. You will take the "we no longer have Bell's ride, so I am creating my own amusement park ride". If you are lucky, you may walk away like these occupants......I should have taken a shot or two of the crash.



I then took my Pops out to lunch. He got the okay to do anything, anytime he wants to, from the doctor. A great release when you are 85! Congratulations Pops on your full return from open heart surgery. Tackle the world.....YEAH!!!!!!



I also took some photos of my office view. I would say it can be pretty spectacular, would you?

Radio Silence

Well, I was not able to post yesterday so I will make it up today.

On Tuesday, I was able to run radio silence. The only time that I was on radio, was to go 10-7.

But today was much different. I think that the rain provided the drivers the opportunity to get crazy and change lanes in front of others, turn in front of others or merely misjudge the stopping distance and tag the rear bumper of others.

So I guess that it is pretty embarrasing when you run into the back end of a police car. But what if you are pushed into the back end of a police car after someone rear ends you?

I also would say that it would be a good idea to look before you turn left. Just cause you might see a green light does not mean you should go and make your left turn.

PING>>>>>>PING>>>>>>>>PING>>>>>> is the noise when a submarine is running silent, quiet (at least in the movies), so listen intently, cause tomorrow is going to be another day of radio silence agenda.

A Quiet Day

Sometimes supervisors believe that they are super intelligent. When they make decisions that affect people unnecessarily, they may actually get a negative response.

I waited for a call all day long. Didn't get one. No radio traffic for me today. I hope it was quiet for citizens of Tulsa too.

Fourth of July Celebrations

Murphy's Law, has its own explanations. And the River Parks celebration is no exception to Murphy's Law. Many people were disappointed that the fireworks was not a spectacular show. but one thing turned over, then another went off and soon there was a massive short display right next to the bridge.

I heard some peole say, "That did not look right." Well they were correct. Just as soon as the show began, it was over. Many people walked away in disappointment. I even heard a comment or two about the city being cheap on this fourth by not shooting off fireworks. I wish Queen Taylor could take responsibility for that disaster, but I know that it was merely a disasterous situation that one plans for, but hopes never happens.

The most amazing thing is that when people leave disappointed, they will disobey any and every law, blame others and get upset with the ones who are trying to keep the egress orderly and safe. I am amazed that there are some who believe that because of their status, or where they may reside, or that they are a wealthy individual, they have the right to travel anywhere at any time they wish.

What made this all interesting, was the fire departments response. See the people would not listen and leave an emergency lane open. So the emergency response was difficult......glad no one was hurt.