A Drive Down I-79…A Lesson in Highway Safety
Yesterday, I took a trip down I-79, and let’s just say—it was an eye-opener. As a towing company, unfortunately, we’ve seen the aftermath of bad driving habits, but watching them unfold in real time is another story. The highway can be unpredictable, and what we saw reminded us how quickly small choices can turn to danger.
Phones While Driving
Within minutes of hitting the highway, we spotted a driver with their head tilted down, thumbs flying across their phone. At 65+ mph, that’s terrifying! A car traveling that fast can cover the length of a football field in just a few seconds—and if your eyes aren’t up, you’re driving blind. It’s one of the most common things we see, and one of the most dangerous.
Safety Tip: Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” while driving. If you need directions, set your GPS before you start moving. Have your phone in a holder at eye level, so you are not looking down.
Feet on the Dashboard
Then there were the passengers who had their feet kicked up on the dashboard, looking like they didn’t have a care in the world! It might feel comfortable on a long ride, on a warm summer day, but if the airbags deploy, the injuries from that position would be catastrophic. It’s the kind of thing that makes us cringe every time we see it.
Safety Tip: Always sit upright with your seatbelt properly fastened. Airbags are designed to protect you, but only if you’re seated safely.
Risky Semi-Truck Driving
In addition to the passengers with their feet up, what really stopped us in our tracks was a semi-truck driver cruising down the highway with one leg propped up on the dashboard! A vehicle that big, moving at highway speeds, needs 100% attention and control. One mistake from a truck that size can have devastating consequences for everyone around it.
Safety Tip: Always give semis extra space and avoid lingering in their blind spots. And for truck drivers—stay alert and keep both hands (and feet) where they belong.
Dogs in the Driver’s Lap
Not long after, we passed a car where the driver had a little dog perched right on their lap, paws up on the steering wheel. Safe? Not even close. In an emergency stop, that dog becomes a distraction and a hazard! Both the driver and pet could get hurt. We love animals, but when it comes to driving, they need to be secured just like any passenger.
Safety Tip: Keep pets secured in the back seat with a harness or carrier designed for travel. It’s safer for you and them.
Speeding Down the Highway
No drive would be complete without seeing a few cars flying by like they were on a racetrack. We all know the type—the ones weaving through traffic, tailgating, and blowing past at 80+ mph. On a busy Pittsburgh highway like I-79, that’s a recipe for disaster. Speeding doesn’t just increase the chance of an accident—it makes every crash more severe. At higher speeds, you have less time to react, and your vehicle needs a much longer distances to stop.
Safety Tip: Follow the posted speed limit and rules of the road. Slower moving vehicles should stay in the right hand lane. Pass on the left, not the right…most drivers don’t expect high-speed cars to the right of them.
Our drive down I-79 was just a couple hours, but in that short time, we saw more hazards than we’d like to count. It was a real reminder that highway safety isn’t just about your own habits—it’s about protecting everyone around you. At Glenn’s Towing Pittsburgh, we’ve seen how quickly a normal day can turn into an emergency. This is why we always urge drivers: stay alert, slow down, keep both hands (and feet!) where they should be, and treat every trip like safety matters.
At Glenn’s Towing, we’re proud to serve Pittsburgh & the surrounding communities with fast, reliable and honest towing services. Whether you need a local tow, roadside assistance, or answers to your questions, we are here to help! Contact us anytime anytime and let us take the stress out of your next roadside emergency!