“Memorial Day weekend is a time for remembrance and gathering with family and friends, but it’s also important to stay mindful while traveling to and from your destination as this is one of the busiest and most congested travel weekends of the year on our highways,” said Jan Vineyard, president of the West Virginia Trucking Association. “As we get behind the wheel, safety must be a priority when using the highways. We all need to remember to buckle up, reduce speed in work zones and be alert to the actions of other motorists.”
The trucking industry is remembering the fallen soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the Nation’s freedoms. Trucking companies take great pride in providing meaningful, rewarding work for veterans of the military who want to continue their service to the country by assisting in the transportation of its most essential goods.
“During busy weekends, our job as professional truck drivers gets a little more challenging, but we have the skills and training to deal with the extra traffic,” said American’s Road Team Captain Kirk Weis, of ABF Freight. “We want everyone to have a safe summer of driving and, to me, that starts with having a safe Memorial Day weekend on the highway. Keep these tips in mind while you’re traveling this weekend.”
Share the Road Safe Driving Tips include:
• Buckle Up: Seat belts save lives. Day or night and even if you’re riding in the back seat – wear your seat belt!
• Slow Down: Chances of a crash nearly triples when driving faster than surrounding traffic. The spring and summer are periods when work zones are busiest. It is important to reduce speeds when traveling through those areas.
• Don’t Drive Impaired: There is a lot to celebrate this time of the year, with graduations, weddings and holidays seemingly every weekend. With that said, driving is a great responsibility and your fellow travelers are relying on safe, attentive drivers to respectfully share the road and make good decisions.
• Do Not Cut in Front of Large Trucks: Remember that large trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.
• Be Aware of Truck Blind Spots: When sharing the road with tractor-trailers, be aware of their blind spots. If you can’t see the driver in his or her mirrors, the truck driver can’t see you.
• Keep Your Eyes on the Road: Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic accidents. Even just two seconds of distraction time doubles the chances of an accident. Do not text or use your cell phone while driving, no excuses.
• Stay Mindful of Construction Zones: Summertime is peak construction season on our highways. Expect the unexpected when approaching construction zones. Speed limits and traffic lanes may change, so pay attention to signs and signals and maintain a safe distance from other motorists, construction workers and their equipment.
• Be Aware of the Vehicle in Front of You: Leave extra room between you and the vehicle ahead.
