America's Road Team Reminds Motorists to Be Safe During Memorial Day Weekend

ARLINGTON, Va., May 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Memorial Day serves as the start for the busy summer driving season and AAA estimates that over 27 million motorists travel for the holiday annually. So as motorists prepare for holiday travel this weekend, a team of professional drivers are helping to make our roads safer.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100129/ATALOGO )

America's Road Team Captains, elite professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free miles, are offering advice on how to navigate through highway traffic and arrive at your destination safely. Tips include:

• Perform a pre-trip inspection – Check your tire pressure, wipers and fluids. Simple maintenance can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road before you leave your home.
• Pay Attention – Distracted driving is a leading cause of crashes. Looking away for even two seconds doubles the chances of an accident.
• Allow a Safety Cushion – Look 1/4 mile ahead for a safe path.  Leave yourself an out.
• Slow Down – Chances of a crash nearly triples when driving faster than surrounding traffic.
• Keep extra water in your vehicle – Just as you keep a winter driving kit in your vehicle, it is important to be prepared when driving during the summer months. Keep plenty of extra water, sunscreen and non-perishable snacks in car in case you are stranded.
• Large Trucks Have Blindspots – If you can't see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can't see you.
• Buckle Up – Safety belts are not a fashion statement – they save lives.
• Abide by Traffic Rules – Follow traffic signs and signals – paying special attention to work zones.
• Be Careful Backing Up – One in four preventable collisions involve backing up.  Be sure to look before backing up; walk around your car prior to departure.
• Do not cut in front of large trucks – Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.

"Memorial Day Weekend is the first big travel day of the summer season," said America's Road Team Captain Barry Holland. "There are additional motorists on the highway, with many in unfamiliar areas. For the sake of safety, drivers need to slow down and follow the rules of the road."

The America's Road Team would like to remind the motoring public that from driveway to highway, safety requires patience and dedication.

Editor's note: America's Road Team Captains are available for in-studio and phone interviews to share driving tips and promote highway safety during Memorial Day weekend.

The America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America, is a national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway. www.americasroadteam.com

The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States. www.truckline.com

SOURCE American Trucking Associations