Elite Drivers Provide Tips for Work Zone Awareness Week

America's Road Team Captains Provide Life Saving Advice

ARLINGTON, Va., April 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With National Work Zone Awareness Week 2010 marking the 11^th anniversary of this life-saving safety campaign, elite drivers with millions of accident-free miles are educating the public on how to stay safe. National Work Zone Awareness Week 2010 runs from April 19-23.

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America's Road Team Captains, professional truck drivers selected for their impressive driving records and commitment to safety, are sharing their wealth of experience from the road. With four of every five victims in a work zone crash being motorists, these tips can help save lives on our nation's highways.

Work Zone Driving Safety Tips for Motorists:

• Expect the Unexpected - Speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed, and people may be working on or near the road.
• Slow Down – Speeding is one of the major causes of work zone crashes.
• Don't Tailgate – Keep a safe following distance between you and the car ahead.
• Keep a Safe Distance from Construction Workers – and equipment.
• Pay Attention to Posted Signs – Warning signs are there to help guide you, use them.
• Stay Alert and Avoid Distracted Driving – Work zones present extra challenges and obstacles. Motorists need to pay attention to the road and their surroundings.
• Plan Your Trip – Schedule your trip with plenty of extra time. Expect delays and leave early so you are not anxious while driving.
• Be Patient - Work zone crew members are working to improve the road and make your future drive better.
• Be Aware of Blindspots – Trucks have large blindspots in front, back and either side. Try to avoid lingering in this space and do not cut in front of a truck.

"Motorists need to slow down and take caution when driving through work zones," said America's Road Team Captain Jim Gallagher. "Reducing speed, paying attention and keeping a safe distance from other motorists and workers will help move everyone through the construction areas safely."

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

The National Work Zone Awareness Week is a national campaign conducted at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving through highway construction sites. It is observed nationally by state, local and federal transportation officials to coincide with the start of highway construction season. http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/wz_awareness/

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