Summer driving safety tips from the Superior City Fire Chief

You might think that winter is the most dangerous time to drive in the Northland, but it’s actually in the summer according to The Superior City Fire Chief Camron Vollbrecht.

Things that contribute to fatal accidents in the summer are RVs on the road, and ATVs and boats being towed. Driving a larger vehicle or towing can impact the stopping distance and handling of a vehicle leading to an increased risk of an accident. Another contributing factor is distracted driving, most notably phone use while driving.

The Superior City Fire Chief Camron Vollbrecht told us one of the easiest ways to stay safe on the roads is to use a seat belt.

“When you look at the stats, roughly 15,000 or more people are saved every year by wearing seat belts. About 92% of us wear seat belts on a regular basis, so 8% don’t. Those 8% account for more than 50% of the fatalities on our roads,” said Fire Chief Camron Vollbrecht. “And those numbers are even higher for pickup truck owners. A lot of young males own pickup trucks, a little less seat belt use, much higher fatality rate. “

We were also told that in the event of an accident it is usually safer to wait inside of your vehicle for first responders to arrive. Fire Chief Camron Vollbrecht gave us tips on what to do if you see an accident on the road.

“If you don’t have a hands-free set, pull over and get to a safe spot, call 911. If you’re able to render aids safely, you can do that. However, be careful on the side of roads,” said Fire Chief Camron Vollbrecht. “Also, adding vehicles to the side of a crash may make things worse for access for first responders. If you start blocking traffic, it’s going to be more and more difficult for those first responders to access the scene. “