University of California, Davis

Hi, my name is Lee Iacoca. In August 1992, I was driving a forklift at night on the county road next to a field I was working in. I was loading bins onto a truck. I had my lights and my safety belt on and I thought I was being very careful. And out of nowhere a speeding pickup truck rammed right into me. I didn't see or hear him coming. Thank God I had my seat belt on and that I survived to tell you about it.

When you are driving or working on country roads especially at night be cautious. Don't speed. We must remember that field workers are often on or near the roads loading trucks and using slow moving vehicles. As workers we should never take it for granted that the "other guy" can see us or that he is looking out for us. We should wear brightly colored clothing and make ourselves and equipment as visible as possible.

According to current statistics, almost 10,000 people working on California farms are killed or suffer disabling injuries from motor vehicle related accidents including tractors and forklifts. Please be careful. Don't become another statistic.

This is part of the "motor vehicle safety for farmworkers" media series produced by the UC Ag Health and Safety Center.