The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Thursday launched a new safety campaign, “Our Roads, Our Responsibility,” to raise awareness about how to operate safely around large trucks and buses.
“Trucks and buses move people and goods around the country, contributing to our economic wellbeing and our way of life,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “These commercial vehicles also carry additional safety risks, so it’s critical that all road users understand how to safely share the road.”
Nearly 12 million commercial motor vehicles are registered to operate in the U.S. Large trucks and buses have significant size and weight differences, large blind spots, longer stopping distances, and limited maneuverability, which present serious safety challenges for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers of passenger vehicles, said the FMCSA in a news release.
Under the Our Roads, Our Responsibility campaign, FMCSA suggests the following tips while sharing the road with CMVs:
- Stay out of the “no zones” or blind spots around the front, back and sides of the vehicle
- Pass safely and make sure you can see the driver in the mirror before passing
- Don’t cut it close while merging in front of a CMV
- Anticipate wide turns and consider larger vehicles may require extra turning room
- Stay focused on the road around you and avoid distraction
- Be patient driving around large trucks and buses
The FMCSA offers safety tips, statistics, infographics, and more at ShareTheRoadSafely.gov .
