General aviation pilot reported a near miss during the takeoff roll with a car crossing the runway. Pilot continued the takeoff and returned for landing.
Synopsis
General aviation pilot reported a near miss during the takeoff roll with a car crossing the runway. Pilot continued the takeoff and returned for landing.
Narrative
On Day 0 at approximately XA:40 UTC I was performing a touch-and-go in Aircraft X on runway 12 at DED. As I completed my before-takeoff checklist and set the power for takeoff; a car crossed the runway at what looked like taxiway alpha. The car crossed the runway. I noticed the car crossing; as the aircraft reached the published rotation speed of 85 miles per hour. The car appeared to be approximately 1200 to 1300 feet from the aircraft's position on the runway. I elected to continue the takeoff because the accelerate stop distance wouldn't have allowed us to safely avoid a collision with the car. We were able to safely rotate and continue for a safe landing at DED. After the incursion; I attempted to hail the driver of the car on the CTAF frequency of 123.075 but received no response. In the future; I think it should be mandatory to receive safety training on runway incursion avoidance if you are going to operate a vehicle in any movement or non-movement areas. Furthermore; it is imperative that all vehicles and aircraft at uncontrolled fields are equipped with a radio that is capable of transmitting and receiving on the common traffic advisory frequency. As stated on page 14-2 in the Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge;' A nontowered airport does not have an operating controltower. Two-way radio communications are not required;although it is a good operating practice for pilots to transmittheir intentions on the specified frequency for the benefitof other traffic in the area.' I believe this accident may have never happened if the driver of the car had been equipped with a two-way radio. This would've enhanced the driver's situational awareness and aided me while performing the numerous tasks required during a touch-and-go landing.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.