ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This week, American Trucking Associations' America's Road Team and Share the Road professional drivers will be participating in AAA Mid-Atlantic's IDrive program to educate young drivers on the importance of highway safety, particular around trucks.
"Safety is the trucking industry's most important value," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "We're always happy for events like IDrive which allow our professionals to reach out to the public – particularly young drivers – and convey that important safety message."
Among the messages the America's Road Team Captains and Share the Road drivers are delivering at IDrive are:
- 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. A fully loaded tractor trailer takes the length of a football field and both end zones to come to a complete stop when driving at highway speeds.
- Slow Down – Chances of a crash nearly triples when driving faster than surrounding traffic.
- Large Trucks Have Blind spots – If you can't see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can't see you.
- Pay Attention – Distracted driving is a leading cause of crashes. Looking away for even two seconds doubles the chances of an accident. Turn cell phones and PDAs off.
- Allow a Safety Cushion – Look a quarter mile ahead for a safe path. Leave yourself an out.
- 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 is important during this high construction season.
"Trucking is the backbone of Virginia's economy and safety is the number one priority for our members," said Virginia Trucking Association President and CEO Dale Bennett. "Working with ATA, the America's Road Team and the Share the Road program to bring that message to our young drivers is an excellent opportunity to promote safety on Virginia's highways."
The America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks, 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. Follow America's Road Team on Facebook or Twitter.
Share the Road is a highway safety program that delivers life-saving messages to hundreds of U.S. cities and reaches millions of motorists annually, designed to educate automobile drivers about sharing the roads safely with trucks. The program, sponsored by Mack Trucks, Inc. and Michelin North America Inc., is represented by an elite team of professional truck drivers with millions of miles of accident-free driving. Follow Share the Road on Facebook or Twitter.
American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100129/ATALOGO
SOURCE American Trucking Associations
Share this article