Good Samaritans helped city workers save a family of ducks Tuesday night on Lake Shore Drive. Jamie Holbrook and Joseph Daley teamed with police, firefighters and Streets and Sanitation workers to save the mother and her five ducklings.
Tuesday's rescuers saved the ducks, but helping animals on the road can be dangerous. Edward Gardner, of Naperville, was struck by a limousine and killed May 30 while trying to help baby fowl cross Interstate Highway 294, according to the Illinois State Police. Friends say the 38-year-old loved animals.
Tuesday's rescuers saved the ducks, but helping animals on the road can be dangerous. Edward Gardner, of Naperville, was struck by a limousine and killed May 30 while trying to help baby fowl cross Interstate Highway 294, according to the Illinois State Police. Friends say the 38-year-old loved animals.
AAA motor club frequently deals with this issue, said spokeswoman Beth Mosher.
"We make thousands of decisions every time we (drive), and we just need to be aware of everything that's happening in the roadway," Mosher said. "We caution motorists to think about it if there's a lot of traffic on the road, where they can potentially harm themselves or other motorists."
We asked a few humanitarian and public safety experts for their recommendations:
Q: What should people do when they see animals on the road?
Sgt. Juan Valenzuela, Illinois State Police
A: Get connected to the nearest state police agency, or if they're in a local town, call (that) police department. People should never try to do that by themselves. Motorists who don't have emergency vehicles with emergency lights or warning devices … should let people who are equipped to do that, do that.
Rochelle Michalek, executive director for PAWS Chicago
A: Your safety comes first. … That is so important. … There's a lot of us that really care about animals, but you want to make sure you're not putting your life at risk. … Try honking to (deter them from where they are) without getting out of the car.
Josh Kauffman, Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman
A: Obviously, (put) safety first. Motorists could directly contact state police or they could call IDOT at 800-452-IDOT to report the scenario.
Q: What would you tell good Samaritans who want to stop and help?
Michalek, PAWS
A: If you're on a major expressway, and traffic is going extremely quick, you want to be careful. If the street that you're on is less congested … then you have a better opportunity to be able to stop traffic, use your car, put your flashers on.
Kauffman, IDOT
A: We'd recommend calling the state police or IDOT officials.
"We make thousands of decisions every time we (drive), and we just need to be aware of everything that's happening in the roadway," Mosher said. "We caution motorists to think about it if there's a lot of traffic on the road, where they can potentially harm themselves or other motorists."
We asked a few humanitarian and public safety experts for their recommendations:
Q: What should people do when they see animals on the road?
Sgt. Juan Valenzuela, Illinois State Police
A: Get connected to the nearest state police agency, or if they're in a local town, call (that) police department. People should never try to do that by themselves. Motorists who don't have emergency vehicles with emergency lights or warning devices … should let people who are equipped to do that, do that.
Rochelle Michalek, executive director for PAWS Chicago
A: Your safety comes first. … That is so important. … There's a lot of us that really care about animals, but you want to make sure you're not putting your life at risk. … Try honking to (deter them from where they are) without getting out of the car.
Josh Kauffman, Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman
A: Obviously, (put) safety first. Motorists could directly contact state police or they could call IDOT at 800-452-IDOT to report the scenario.
Q: What would you tell good Samaritans who want to stop and help?
Michalek, PAWS
A: If you're on a major expressway, and traffic is going extremely quick, you want to be careful. If the street that you're on is less congested … then you have a better opportunity to be able to stop traffic, use your car, put your flashers on.
Kauffman, IDOT
A: We'd recommend calling the state police or IDOT officials.