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Professional Truck Drivers Offer Life Saving Advice for Winter Driving
Tuesday, 02/16/2010
With massive storm fronts moving across the region, a team of million mile accident-free drivers are taking the opportunity to share their experience and help make our roads safer.

America's Road Team Captains, elite professional truck drivers chosen by the American Trucking Associations, are offering advice on how to navigate through winter driving conditions to arrive at your destination safely. Tips include:

Avoid extreme weather conditions: Ice, hail and snow make roads difficult to travel. Try to avoid driving through extreme weather conditions, and travel during daylight.
Remove ice and snow from your vehicle: Clear your windows and roof of snow to insure you have maximum visibility and avoid creating a hazard for the vehicle behind you. Don't allow ice and snow to create additional blind spots on your vehicle.

Be aware of the vehicle in front of you: Leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front so you can avoid snow and ice blowing onto your windshield or maneuver around patches of ice. 

Prepare an emergency kit: Contents should include: battery powered radio, flashlight, blanket, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable foods, maps, tire repair kit and flares.

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 truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can't see you.

Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.

Slow Down: When highways are hit with wintry conditions, speeding becomes even more dangerous. Allow plenty of space cushion and reduce your speed.

Buckle up: Safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent and are a simple way to increase your safety on the road.

"Ice and snow can make highway travel challenging," said Jan Vineyard, president of the West Virginia Trucking Association. "Remember to buckle up, stay alert and drive slowly to help make the roads safe for you and your fellow motorists. And if you don't need to be on the road, stay home and wait for better conditions."

The West Virginia Trucking Association and America's Road Team would like to remind the motoring public that from driveway to highway, safety requires patience and dedication.