New video offers tips on sharing the road safely with trucks

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently released a video asking motorists to drive safely and distraction-free when sharing the road with commercial motor vehicles.

Created as part of FMCSA’s Our Roads, Our Safety campaign, the one-minute video features testimony from Wisconsin-based truck driver Dick Pingel, a member of the board of directors for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association – a partnering organization in the campaign.

In Voices of Safety: An Independent Truck Driver’s Perspective, Pingel encourages passenger vehicle drivers to “understand the limits of the vehicle next to you,” as well as potential distractions.

“To be safe when I’m around traffic, I try to anticipate what everybody around me is going to do,” Pingel says in the video. “Leave your phone at home or in your pocket. That’s the main thing now with all the gadgets that we have nowadays.”

In a July 2 press release, Pingel added: “All the technology that we have in our vehicles today can sometimes make driving more unsafe if we don’t understand that it’s still important to pay attention and maintain control.”

FMCSA notes that the large blind spots, long stopping distances and limited maneuverability of CMVs “make it vital for other drivers to focus on safety.” Tips include:

• Keep out of CMV drivers’ blind spots, or “no zones.”
• Make sure you can see the CMV driver in his or her mirror before passing.
• Leave sufficient space when merging in front of CMVs.
• Avoid distractions, remain patient and wear your seat belt.