“Steer It, Clear It” to Improve Roadway Safety

BUFFALO, NY – Today the Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition (NITTEC) encouraged motorists to “Steer It, Clear It,” in the event of a minor vehicle collision.

“Once a car accident has occurred, the odds of subsequent collisions increase significantly if vehicles are not moved out of the way of traffic,” said Athena Hutchins, executive director of NITTEC. “If you and your passengers are unhurt, and your vehicle can be driven, moving the vehicle out of a travel lane will help to prevent a second collision. If you can steer it – clear it.”

A majority of highway collisions result from congestion due to minor accidents or disabled vehicles. If drivers are in a collision on a ramp, travel lane, median of an expressway, or on a major road, NITTEC suggests the following steps:

• Check to see if you and your passengers are unhurt.
• Check to see if your vehicle can be driven.
• If you are able, move your vehicle to a safe area, such as a shoulder, nearby road, cross street, or parking area.

“Steer It, Clear It” also allows fire, police, and other emergency personnel to more quickly reach vehicles and passengers that have been in a collision.

Travel advisories, incidents, alerts, and construction updates are available 24/7 at: nittec.org/travel_advisories.

Learn more by visiting nittec.org.

About NITTEC:

Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition (NITTEC) was formed in 1995, as a coalition of agencies designed to improve the safety and efficiency of travel in Buffalo Niagara. NITTEC’s mission is to improve mobility, reliability, and safety on the regional bi-national multimodal transportation network through information sharing and coordinated management of operations.