another RIO tragedy

[Dutch445]

I would bet it is just a matter of time before the RIO
system is implemented in compact tractors. So many of
them are being used as lawn mowers, and accidents
are probably just as common. Here is a terrible story
from a local town... mom was mowing and her daughter
ran up to the tractor, mom backed up over the girl,
severe damage to her legs.....

NewsChannel 9 WSYR - Girl in Serious Condition Following Lawnmower Accident

 

[jlangton]

From the article:
"Troopers say Shanahan’s mother told them that she did not see or hear her daughter."

This tells me quite simply-the mother didn't bother to even turn her head. An RIO switch wouldn't have helped her either-she would have just pushed the little button,and backed up anyway.
JL

 

[Dutch445]

Agreed,
It doesn't matter how many safety switches or guards are
on a machine, people are going to make mistakes.
It's still sad, I think this happens every day in our country.

 

[Deerlope]

Someone on this site said it best a few years ago and that is " we have people driving tractors that never drove them before". The same goes for lawn mowers. How many times has someone came on this site asking for info and has said that they have never used a tractor before . It be just great if anyone that wants to operate a tractor that they at least take the FAA tractor saftey course. Just my 2 cents.

 

[KubotaSteve]

I agree that no matter how many safety features you put on a machine, the operator has to respect the machine and use it with caution. Depending on the person who has never used a tractor, they may be more cautious than someone who has been using them for over 50 years such as the old farmer.
When it comes to kids, you have to teach them to respect the machine. My 3 year old and 9 year old know not to come up on me when I'm using the tractor. When my wife sends my 9 year old out to tell me its time to eat and if I'm mowing or tilling, she knows to take a wide path to get in my line of vision while staying out of harms way while waving her arms to get my attention. She also knows not to approach the tractor until it is shut down and I motion her over. When she has friends over, if my using the tractor, they are not allowed in the yard, they have to stay in the house.

 

[VistanTN]

I never ceased to be amazed at the lack of "common sense" in some people. I sometimes think that the human race is the ultimate proof that Darwin was wrong. The dumb not only survive, they reproduce! I've got a friend's 14-year-old son helping me with projects. We spent the first two hours he was here (and on the payroll) talking about safety: why the ROPS and seat belt are there; why tractors are different than cars and lawn mowers; why speed is FAR less important than safety; why gloves; why hats; ... yet adults who have never driven anything other than a family sedan on pavement will get on a mower or a tractor on dirt and drive like they are a "professional driver on closed course."

You're right -- a BIG part of it is teaching your kids (and your spouse if need be) to stay away from EVERYWHERE you can''t see and far enough away that thrown rocks, sticks, etc. won't hit them -- until you shut down AND motion them to come over.

The other part is looking where you are going -- Good Wyfe has had to back into a few things to learn to turn around ... but I am amazed at the number of people operating all kinds of machines and vehicles who are looking somewhere else.

Most safety devices are really good ideas -- but they don't substitute for intelligent operation.

VistanTN

 

[roxynoodle]

Several years ago a neighbor backed over his son with a riding mower and killed him. Another neighbor was killed when making a delivery in his semi and someone backed over him with a forklift. I must say, how do you back up anything without looking where you are going? Even though I don't have children I still turn around to see where I'm going so I don't hit anything. And in the case of the 2nd neighbor, this was a business with all kinds of people and machinery moving around; anyone not looking was an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Timber]

People do dumb things even smart people & people that know better. I have done my share of stupid and it is always sad when something tragic happens. I remember as a boy we had a hive swarm and we wanted to collect the swarm. My dog was in his dog house on a chain. We dropped the swarm and missed the super. Now there is a ball of bees 10,000 strong and pissed off. My poor dog didn’t know and ran out into the swarm and as he was getting stung his chain wiped through that swarm over an over, I just stood there and watched and didn’t know what to do. I watched my dog die that day, sat with him till he was gone. I went in after him and took a lot of stings myself. I was just a boy but we new better. We told the dog to stay in his house like he understood what we were going to do. That is what hurt the most. We did something dumb and we new better. I don’t know why people do dumb things but we all do them, that poor dog is with me every day of my life because I did something dumb. Accidents happen for all kinds of reasons; I live in a glass house so I have no right to judge another mans stupidity

 

[roxynoodle]

You are right, we all do stupid things. I feel for you about your dog. That's a sad story that will stay with me.

 

[Timber]

It was a long time ago, 35 years or so but it was a very important event in my life. Funny I recall it like it was yesterday in every detail. There is still emptiness in my heart for him even after all this time. He was not just a dog, he was my friend. The important thing is that it was a tragic lesson I learned that probably helped shape my life. It is easy to say what an idiot someone is for not paying attention or doing something that you take for granted. I defy anyone to say they never put there tractor in reverse without looking behind them. Or watching a piece of equipment while traveling forward and running something over they didn’t plan on. These terrible events were people are altered for life or killed by someone else’s mistake either by accident or complacency.
Nothing will torment these people more than the own personal guilt so for me I have some sympathy for the people that are responsible for events like this. There is nothing you or I or the law can say or does that will torment these people more than what they will do to them selves. 35 years ago I was responsible for the death of a stupid little dog that was my best friend, It is a lesson I carry with me to this day. We are all one of these people that can do things like this if the circumstances are created for events like this to happen.