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The Michigan Center for Truck Safety is launching a campaign this Labor Day weekend, urging truck drivers and motorists to use extra caution on Michigan roadways.
A 32% increase in crashes involving trucks and buses in the last five years, prompted the campaign.
Michelle Zemla, project director for MCTS said “Truck drivers and motorists need reminders to allow more space between vehicles, avoid truck blind spots and to double check that it’s clear before changing lanes.”
Using billboards, social media, radio and digital video advertising, the campaign will focus on two areas of concern.
The first is stopping distances.
A semi truck traveling at 65 mph, needs approximately two football fields to stop.
Federal safety guidelines recommend at least three seconds between vehicles for a safe stop.
The other area of concern is blind spots and changing lanes.
Approximately 1 in 3 crashes involves a truck or other vehicle changing lanes at the wrong time.
Semi trucks have four major blindspots, and truck drivers are urged to check twice before changing lanes.
Motorists are also urged to avoid a truck’s blind spots.
Chris Culton, safety specialist for MCTS said “Michigan is heading into it’s high season for crashes, so it’s more important than ever to pay extra attention.”
A link with more information on the campaign, is here.
