From April 11-18, a statewide awareness campaign will remind Missouri motorists to drive safely around commercial motor vehicles. In turn, commercial motor vehicle drivers will be reminded to obey traffic laws, use their seat belts, slow down and pay attention.
Commercial motor vehicles make up 20 percent of Missouri’s interstate traffic, carry goods from coast to coast, and are a vital part of our nation’s economy. Crashes involving tractor trailers don’t happen very often, but when they do, the disproportionate size of truck versus car means those crashes can often involve serious injuries or worse. Research shows that in the majority of these crashes, drivers of passenger cars unnecessarily endanger themselves by not paying attention and driving recklessly around big rigs. That’s why it’s so important for all motorists to drive safely around big trucks.
There’s no room for taking chances around big rigs – they require big room. “We don’t want you to bet your life on it when it comes to safely moving around big trucks,” said Bill Whitfield, chair of the executive committee of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. “Please pay attention.”
Don’t cut off large trucks or buses. Make sure you can see the top of the truck or bus in your rearview mirror before moving back into your original lane.
Stay out of the “No Zone”. Big rigs have large blind spots on either side and up to 200 feet behind a vehicle. Pass only on the left side.
Watch your following distance. Keep a safety cushion around trucks. Can you see the truck’s side mirrors? If not, the driver cannot see you.
Sharing the road with commercial motor vehicles is a necessary part of travel. For additional information regarding roadway safety, or other transportation-related topics, contact the MoDOT Customer Service Center toll free, at 1-888-ASK-MoDOT (275-6636). For more information on Commercial Motor Vehicle Awareness Campaign, visitwww.saveMOlives.com.
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