National Share the Road Highway Safety Program Visits West Virginia High Schools to Promote Safe Driving

Most automobile drivers were never taught what they can do to avoid an accident with a tractor-trailer

CHARLESTON, W.Va., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The following was released by the American Trucking Associations:

Summary: Professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free driving miles are traveling across West Virginia this week educating motorists how to safely share the road with tractor-trailers and handing out instructional DVDs to state high schools. These elite truck drivers will give tips on blind spots, safe-merging techniques, and stopping and following distances — with a focus on tips for safe winter travel.

Who: Share the Road professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free driving miles

American Trucking Associations

West Virginia Motor Truck Association

What: A demonstration of highway safety measures will be conducted for the public and the local news media, including “ride-alongs” in tractor-trailers, as part of the national Share the Road safety tour across West Virginia.

Where/When:

Monday, 8:00 – 10:00 – Poca High School, Rt. 1 Box 5B, Poca, WV

Monday, 12:00 – 2:00 – Capitol High School, 1500 Greenbrier Street, Charleston, WV

Tuesday, 10:00 – 2:00 – Woodrow Wilson High School, 400 Stanaford Rd, Beckley, WV

Wednesday, 8:30 – 10:00 – East Fairmont High School, 1993 Airport Road, Fairmont, WV

Interviews: Drivers will be available for one-on-one media interviews in front of a truck during specified times, or in-cab during “ride-alongs” in a tractor-trailer by appointment.

This safety advice is critical for West Virginia motorists because:

• Traffic fatalities increased nearly 10 percent from 2005 to 2006 in West Virginia (WVDOT).
• 35 percent of all truck-involved highway fatalities occur in a truck’s blind spots (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).
• Up to 75 percent of all truck-involved fatalities are unintentionally initiated by car drivers (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety).

About Share the Road:

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 motorists annually. The safety program is sponsored by Mack Trucks, Inc. and Michelin North America, Inc. www.atastr.org

About American Trucking Associations:

The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States. www.truckline.com

About West Virginia Motor Truck Association:

The West Virginia Motor Truck Association is committed to safety on the state’s highways. With 175 companies, WVMTA represents West Virginia’s trucking industry with a unified voice. Trucking is a vital part of West Virginia’s economy, carrying millions of dollars worth of cargo every day and servicing every community in the state. Many communities in West Virginia are served exclusively by trucks, and couldn’t exist without the trucking industry. www.wvmotortruck.org

SOURCE American Trucking Associations