FMCSA Announces New Safety Campaign To Help People Drive Safe
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, FMCSA for short, branch of the Department of Transportation cares about your safety around driving with large trucks and buses on the road. And now they are providing you with ways to drive, walk, and bike safely around large DOT trucks and buses.
What is it?
This past month they announced a new campaign with the American Bus Association, AAA and the American Trucking Association to amplify the Our Roads, Our Safety effort to educate all pedestrians, bicyclists, passenger vehicle drivers and commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers on how to better share our roadways and improve safety for all.
Tips & Tricks
The information found in the videos show valuable knowledge for drivers sharing the roads with large buses or trucks such as:
- Stay out of the "No Zones" or blind spots at the front, back and sides of the vehicle
- Make sure they can see the driver in the mirror before safely passing
- Don't cut in close while merging in front of a CMV
- Stay back a safe distance to avoid being in the blind spot
- Anticipate wide turns and consider larger vehicles may require extra turning room
- Stay focused on the road and avoid distractions
- Lastly, be patient driving around large trucks and buses
In addition to these tips, parents and teachers can also enroll children in the 2017 Kid's Art Contest. This contest lets children in kindergarten through sixth grade (ages 5-12) use their creativity and talent to help raise awareness of how to stay safe on the roads. One Grand Prize Winner and 5 honorable mentions will receive a certificate of recognition, location on the DOT's 2018 calendar and feature in a press release highlighted on multiple social media sites, and featured on the FMCSA website.
To Learn More
To learn more about Our Roads, Our Safety and to get involved, please visit www.sharetheroadsafely.gov. Learn more and share information about how passenger vehicle drivers, CMV drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians share a responsibility for making our roads a safer place for everyone.
