Article by Greg Rickman, Tiffin Ambassador
(The following article is part two in a three-part series on staying safe while traveling)
In part two of this series on situational awareness, I will discuss how to stay safe while driving on our nation’s uncertain highways. But first, a reminder of the definition of situational awareness.
Situational awareness by definition is the ability to perceive, understand, and effectively respond to one’s situation. It involves comprehending a given circumstance, gathering situational relevant information, analyzing it, and making informed decisions to successfully address any potential risks, hazards, or events that might occur.
In simple terms, situational awareness means being aware of what’s happening around you and understanding the situation, so you can make informed decisions and react appropriately.
Now that we have that out of the way, lets discuss how that applies to traveling in a motorhome or any RV on the roadways of America. How can we be constantly vigilant while driving such a large vehicle with all of the distractions of the road?
People, for the most part, are not tuned in to the world around them. They are not fully aware of the environment they are in. Just watch the drivers on any roadway. With large GPS/stereo music screens, super comfy seats and cars that practically drive themselves (some actually do now), its no wonder that people are lost in their own little world and totally oblivious to what’s going on around them. And don’t even get me started about people using their cell phones while driving.
And now, our motorhomes are going in the same direction. With plush captain chairs, GPS tablets, screens and monitors, plus stereo music and televisions, its very easy to just cruise down the road enjoying the view through that big windshield. Now, there is nothing wrong with doing just that as long as we are not too absorbed that we fail to pay attention to what’s going on OUTSIDE the motorhome.
We have to be constantly aware of what’s going on around us as we travel. Not just the normal hazards such as slower vehicles or debris, but the unusual things like road rage or that same vehicle that seems to be following you. Here are some tips:
This can’t be said enough. Always know where you are, meaning what highway or interstate number, mile marker, direction (north, south, east, west), proximity to the next city, etc. If you had to call 911 for emergency help, you have to be able to tell them where you are. I was fortunate to work for a large law enforcement agency that had the ability to triangulate coordinates and pinpoint the location of a cell phone. Even in this day of modern technology, there are still large swaths of this country where this is not possible, especially in rural areas where so many of us love to camp. So when you do call 911 for an emergency, you have to be able to tell them where you are. You can only do this if you train yourself mentally to always pay attention to your location. Trust me, it will become second nature. It might also help if you share your travel plans with a trusted friend or relative.
You should also never fully trust your GPS system to guide you down the right roads. I know mine has led me astray a couple of times. Most of us will remember this tragic story. In 2022, Ronnie & Beverly Barker, a senior couple from Illinois, were traveling from Oregon to Arizona in their class C motorhome with a toad. As they traveled through Nevada, their GPS directed them to turn off of the highway and down a gravel road. Their instincts told them not to leave the highway, but trusting the GPS, they did, thinking they were avoiding an accident or delay. Always listen to your gut. That simple wrong turn led to disaster.
As it turns out, that turn led them up and over Red Mountain near Silver Peak, one of the most remote desert areas in the country. When the road narrowed and the motorhome blew a tire, they set out in their toad to retrace their steps back to the highway. However, another wrong turn led them deeper into the desert until the car was stranded in a rocky ditch. They were at an altitude of 7000 feet, deep in the Nevada desert and had absolutely no cell service or internet. It was 10 days before rescuers found them but tragically, Ronnie had passed away. Beverly was transported to a hospital and thankfully survived.
One would ask how can this happen? Wouldn’t your gut instincts tell you not to turn there? Well, for most of us, when we are unsure, we rely on a device such as GPS to guide us. Unfortunately, in this case, when the GPS device was checked after their rescue, it was determined that the “highways only” setting had been turned off. This automatically displayed the fastest route, leading the Barkers to turn down that deadly road. I have since checked to make sure mine is set to “highways only”.
We never know the mental state or the situation of the drivers around us so it is important to be ready in the event of a criminal incident, such as road rage or a carjacking attempt (yes, it does happen even to RV’ers). You should always be aware of the vehicles around you, not just because you might accidently collide with them, but to monitor what they are doing, how they are driving and if they are up to something. You can spot a situation developing if you’re paying attention. Ever had a police pursuit fly right by you? If you’re driving a large motorhome and not paying attention, you are likely to become a factor in that pursuit.
So what happens if you get stranded on the side of the road and you’re waiting on your roadside assistance? First of all, stay in the motorhome if possible. While you are outside looking at that flat tire or other damage is the perfect opportunity for a criminal to pull up behind you under the pretense of helping you. Not to mention the danger of being on the side of the road. Make yourself a hard target as criminals shy away from that. Keep your entry door and basement doors locked and cameras turned on (if you have them). That way you can monitor the sides and rear while you wait for legitimate help.
You are the most vulnerable when you are stopped. Be especially vigilant when stopped at a stop sign or light, or at the end of an off ramp. Maintain plenty of space between vehicles if possible. Watch for potential issues like people approaching or checking you out. We had this exact scenario play out on a trip through Colorado. As we exited the interstate in Aurora, the off ramp circled around and stopped under an overpass. As I stopped at the traffic light under the overpass, I noticed a large group of individuals that I recognized as drug addicts loitering there. The motorhome and toad were immediately noticed and pointed out between them. Several of them started to move in our direction but one of them started walking straight to the door. I had already unbuckled my seatbelt and told my wife to move from her seat. I retrieved the firearm that I keep next to my seat and then stood up from behind the wheel to make sure he saw me and know that I saw him. He saw me looking at him about the time he reached for the door, thought otherwise and walked back to the group. Believe me, that traffic light could not turn green soon enough!
Another place to remain vigilant is during fuel stops. Those with diesel rigs fuel at the truck stops while those with gas rigs can fuel almost anywhere. Go ahead and lock your door if you are on the other side fueling and cannot see the door. This prevents anyone from sneaking in while you’re fueling and protects whoever might be inside. Just last week while returning from a Tiffin rally, a truck driver tried to look into our motorhome while I was fueling on the other side. My wife, who usually stays inside, had ran into the store and left our door open with the screen shut. I always look around while fueling so that my back is not turned completely. I happened to notice a reflection through the glass windshield. I cut the fuel flow off and went around to the door just as the truck driver was about to step onto the steps to the door. When I appeared, he immediately said, “I wasn’t trying to get into your rig”, which we all know he was. Not trying to start an altercation, I quickly said, “oh I know that, I was just making sure the dog didn’t get out and bite you”. He walked away, apparently believing what I had said. Funny thing is, we don’t have a dog! But it worked. I was aware of my situation and I calmly reacted to it.
And then there is road rage. We’ve all seen it and we’ve all been guilty of it. But traveling in a motorhome is different, you are behind the wheel of a 40-50,000 lb. slow moving beast. Most of us drive in the right lane anyway so we are less likely to attract the “hotheads” that seem to be determined to make the news. But there is going to be that time, that one time when someone decides to act out and include you in their delusions and hatred. Have a plan, think through the “what if” scenarios and what you would do to survive. Try to defuse the situation by changing lanes or slowing down to create distance. This will work most of the time but prepare yourself for a scenario where it doesn’t. A lot of these individuals are armed these days and it just isn’t worth the risk.
Bottom line here is to enjoy the drive but be aware of what’s out there waiting and prepare yourself for the safety of you and your family.
Greg’s dream was to own a motorhome after his retirement from a long career in law enforcement. He and his wife Tina live in Baneberry, TN part of the year and travel this great country in their Tiffin Phaeton 40IH, enjoying the excitement of exploring new places and meeting new people. Their motto is “If you can’t wear shorts, flip flops and a t-shirt, we ain’t going!”
