SAFE FLEET BLOG

Meet Jared Pridmore and his wife, Amanda, the proud owners of Precision Auto Glass in Conway, Arkansas. Their Safe Fleet story begins when they bought a new van for their growing company.

Little did they know this van and one crucial safety product would save one of their lives.

Amanda, always vigilant about safety, researched the importance of having a partition behind the van’s seats. Jared, after 20 years of driving a van without a partition, felt he didn’t need one. “We are going to order this partition, install it, and THEN you can drive the van,” Amanda declared.

“Of course, I listened to her. We ordered it and waited,” Jared conceded. While they waited for their partition to arrive, the van sat unused. Little did Jared know this decision would prove to be life-changing for both.

A few weeks after installing the Heavy-Duty Steel Partition from American Van, a Safe Fleet brand, Jared’s investment would be put to the test.  “Thank goodness I listened to Amanda,” added Jared. “A couple of weeks ago we were in a pretty bad accident.”

Jared and a co-worker were idling in a road construction zone when disaster struck. A drunk driver crashed into the back of their van at a speed between 80 to 90 miles per hour. The impact caused six Auto Glass windshields and all the van’s contents to propel toward the front of the van.

Fortunately, the newly installed American Van partition proved to be worth the investment and the wait. The partition absorbed the impact, shielding Jared and his co-worker from the glass and tools contained in the back of the van.

Reflecting on the incident, Jared said, “If we had not had that partition, there’s no telling what would’ve happened. The glass would have definitely been in the front with us. One hundred percent.”

Auto Glass, designed with lamination for extra durability and safety, is meant to prevent shattering and reduce the risk of injury during collisions when properly installed on vehicles. As cargo, however, the story plays a bit differently. “Auto Glass will cut you up,” Jared explains and, reflecting on Amanda’s insistence on waiting for the partition to drive the van, he added: “It was a blessing Amanda said, ‘I don’t feel comfortable with this.”

“If we would not have had that [the American Van partition], we probably would not be here today,” Jared emphasized.

Amanda, witnessing the aftermath of the accident, highlighted the importance of having the partition. The realization that all the debris and tools would have been in the front with her husband was terrifying.

The near-death experience left an indelible mark on Jared’s perspective. He vowed, “I’ll never own another van without a partition.” He now urges everyone, regardless of their business, to have a partition between them and what’s behind them. The American Van partition’s effectiveness in such an event reinforced its significance as a fleet safety tool.

Jared concludes, “I understand why Safe Fleet is the trusted fleet safety expert.”

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Jared and Amanda’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the potential consequences of neglecting safety measures, and how one simple decision can make all the difference. Their story is a testament not only to the value of listening to your instincts but also investing in reliable safety solutions for your fleets––for a brighter and more secure future.

If you’re a fleet owner or manager, consider the lessons learned from the Pridmores’ experience. Don’t compromise on safety. Your drivers are the backbone of your fleet, and their safety should always be a top priority.

Let’s build a safer future for our roads, our communities, and our people! For more information about cutting-edge safety technology solutions for fleets, visit: https://safefleet.net/products/