America's Road Team Captains Give Important Safety Tips

As motorists prepare for July 4th vacation travel, a team of million mile accident-free drivers are helping to make our roads safer. America's Road Team Captains, elite professional truck drivers chosen by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), are offering advice on how to safely navigate through highway traffic and congestion this summer and, at the same time, save costly fuel.

America's Road Team Captains agree that the first step towards a safe trip begins in the driveway.

  -- Do a "walk around" before leaving:  Check your vehicle's tires, wipers
     and fluids.  Have your radiator and cooling system serviced.  You can
     prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the
     road before you leave your home.

  -- Plan ahead:  Before you get on a highway, know your exit by name and
     number, and watch the signs for the exit as you near it.  Drivers
     making unexpected lane changes to exit often cause accidents.

  -- Get a map or program your GPS:  Surprisingly, few motorists use maps,
     even when driving through unfamiliar areas.  Knowing the road is
     essential for safe driving -- it allows you to anticipate the road
     ahead and avoid a panicky search for directions.

  -- Leave early and avoid risks:  Leave early so you won't be anxious about
     arriving late and to accommodate delays.  Know your limitations: don't
     drive when tired, upset, or physically ill.  Never try to gain a few
     seconds by attempting a risky maneuver and think twice about changing
     lanes just get around a vehicle that is traveling at a speed close to
     yours.

  -- Be aware of trucks blindspots:  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.

  -- Expect the unexpected:  Look 1/4 mile ahead for a safe path.  Leave
     yourself an out.

  -- Use your cell phone with caution:  Pull off to a designated parking
     area to use your cell phone.

  -- Signal your intentions:  To change lanes, signal ahead of time so other
     drivers can respond.  If a truck is signaling to change lanes, allow it
     space to do so.  Often, it is trying to avoid another vehicle.

  -- 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.

  -- Yield:  On entrance ramps, remember highway traffic has the right of
     way; maintain proper speed, use smooth merging techniques, and don't
     slow down in front of a truck.

  -- Never stop on the highway:  The most dangerous speed on a highway is
     zero.  Stopped vehicles, even on the shoulder, create a severe hazard
     for themselves and others.  If you are stopped for emergency purposes,
     understand that big trucks cannot always stop to assist you, but most
     will use their radios to contact the police or highway patrol if they
     see you are in trouble.

  -- Watch your gas gauge:  To save fuel, take direct routes, minimize side
     trips, and keep a steady speed.  Further, a well-tuned engine, properly
     inflated tires and reduced speed will result in noticeable fuel
     savings.  Have at least a quarter of a tank of gas before you get on a
     highway.  Traffic tie-ups can use a lot of fuel -- and may leave you
     stranded.

  -- Construction zone:  Stay alert in work zones.  Traffic may move more
     slowly, and lanes may be temporarily closed.  Obey informational signs
     located within the work zone.

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

The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry.

Source: American Trucking Associations

Web site:
http://www.truckline.com/
http://www.americasroadteam.com/