Today, American Trucking Associations and ATA’s Share the Road highway safety program encouraged Labor Day travelers to take extra caution while driving on the roadways this holiday weekend.
As the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day weekend is a chance for Americans to get one last road trip in, so it is critical for drivers to practice patience, planning and safety fundamentals.
“Given the high volumes of traffic on the highways this Labor Day weekend, practicing safe driving is vital,” said Share the Road professional truck driver Kevin Byrnes of United Parcel Service. “By remembering a few simple safety tips, the motoring public can have a great, and more importantly safe, holiday for themselves and their neighbors on the road.”
“Following simple safety tips like buckling your seat belt, putting away your cell phone and leaving an appropriate following distance between you and other cars can all play a part in safe driving,” said Share the Road professional truck driver Eric Stein of Werner Enterprises. “We want people across America to have a great time with their family and friends this holiday, and using these 10 safety tips from million-mile accident-free professional truck drivers can drastically increase highway safety for everyone.”
1. Buckle Up: Seat belts save lives. Day or night – and even if you’re riding in the back seat – always wear your seat belt.
2. Slow down: The chance of a crash nearly triples when driving faster than surrounding traffic. Spring and summer are periods when work zones are the most active. It is imperative to reduce speeds when traveling through those areas.
3. Do not drive impaired: There is much to celebrate this time of year between graduations, BBQs and holidays. With that said, driving is a great responsibility, and your fellow travelers are relying on safe and attentive drivers to respectfully share the road and make good decisions.
4. Be aware of truck blind spots: When sharing the road with large trucks, be aware of their blind spots. If you can't see the professional truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the professional truck driver can't see you.
5. Keep your eyes on the road: Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic accidents, especially among younger drivers. Even just two seconds of distraction time doubles the chance of an accident. Only use your cell phone when stopped and never text while driving.
6. Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.
7. Prepare your vehicle for long distance travel: Check your wipers, fluids, brakes, and tire tread. Have your radiator and cooling system serviced. Simple maintenance before you leave home can prevent many of the problems that might strand motorists on the side of the road.
8. Leave early and avoid risks: Leave early so you won't be anxious about arriving late. Road conditions may change due to inclement weather or traffic congestion.
9. Be aware of the vehicle in front of you: Leave extra room between you and the vehicle ahead.
10. Understand congestion patterns: High traffic volumes lead to greater opportunities for accidents, so plan your trip to avoid traffic bottlenecks and increased traffic volumes.
Note to Editors: Share the Road professional drivers are available for interviews over the holiday. Please contact Virginia Bulger at vbulger@trucking.org.
###
Share the Road is a highway safety outreach program of the American Trucking Associations that educates all drivers about sharing the roads safely with large trucks. An elite team of professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free miles deliver life-saving messages to millions of motorists annually. The safety program is sponsored by Mack Trucks Inc., and supported by Bendix, Omnitracs, Premier Trailer Leasing, PrePass, Shell, TA-Petro, GoodYear, Great Dane, and Hendrickson. Follow Share the Road on Twitter and Facebook.