SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Although there has been a 25 percent decline in large truck-involved fatal collisions from (2007-2010) nationally, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is working daily to save even more lives through enforcement and education. To further enhance that progress, the CHP will join forces with other law enforcement agencies throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Operation Safe
Driver, October 14 – 20. This operation targets unsafe and aggressive driving by both passenger and commercial vehicle drivers by conducting high visibility enforcement operations and public outreach.
The CHP, in a partnership with the California Trucking Association, will conduct high-visibility enforcement operations and public outreach during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Operation Safe Driver week. CHP will conduct enforcement activities statewide on highways and local roads.
In California, there has been a 40 percent decrease in the number of collisions involving a commercial vehicle that resulted in the death of a motorist between 2006 and 2010.
“By participating in education and enforcement efforts such as Operation Safe Driver, the CHP is striving to continue to reduce the number of people killed and injured on California’s roadways,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.
The CHP joins with the CVSA by encouraging motorists to keep in mind the following safety tips when driving near a big truck:
• Stay out of the No-Zone. A No-Zone is an actual blind spot where the car “disappears” from the view of the truck driver.
• Stay visible! Large trucks need a much longer braking distance than a car. Do not cut into a truck’s space; if this happens, it reduces a truck’s much-needed braking distance and restricts evasive action.
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An Internationally Accredited Agency• Do not tailgate a truck. The further you are away from a truck the less likely you will be involved in a collision.
• Do not speed. Obey all speed limits. • Allow plenty of room. Large trucks are almost as wide as your lane of travel. Following too
close behind one prevents you from reacting to changing traffic conditions and patterns.
• Buckle-up. Wearing your safety belt is the single most important thing you can do to save your life in a crash.
“Protect yourself and your passengers by learning how to share the road safely with large vehicles,” added Commissioner Farrow.
The CVSA, in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and state and local law enforcement launched the Operation Safe Driver campaign in 2007 to combat the number of deaths resulting from crashes involving large trucks, buses, and passenger vehicles.