Safety Should Be Number One Priority around Independence Day Traveling
Today, the West Virginia Trucking Association (WVTA), in partnership with the American Trucking Associations’ Share the Road Program, is offering safe driving tips for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend. With an estimated 42 million people taking to the roads this weekend and summer construction in full swing, safety and awareness are the highest priorities while traveling the state’s highways.
“Independence Day weekend is a time for celebration and to have fun 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. “Celebrating our nation’s birth should be a joyous occasion, but that doesn’t mean you can take a vacation from commonsense and good judgement while driving. We all need to remember to buckle up, slow down and be alert to the actions of other motorists.”
Share the Road Safe Driving Tips include:
- Buckle Up: Safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45% and are a simple way to increase your safety on the road.
- Slow Down: With the extra highway congestion expected due to holiday travel, speeding becomes even more dangerous. Allow plenty of space between you and other vehicles.
- Don’t Drive Impaired: The holidays are often a time for cookouts and celebration, but if you’ve had too much to drink, do not get behind the wheel. Remember buzzed driving is drunk driving.
- 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.
- Plan Ahead: Before you get on the road, know your exit by name and number and watch the signs as you near an off-ramp. Drivers making unexpected lane changes to exits often cause accidents.
About the Shared the Road Program:
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 students and motorists annually. For more information about the Share the Road program or how to arrange an educational presentation at your school or organization, please contact Ryan Thorn with the West Virginia Trucking Association at (304) 345-2800.
