The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the launch of its new safety-focused campaign, "Our Roads, Our Responsibility," to raise public awareness about how to operate safely around large trucks and buses, or commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).
"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 CMVs are registered to operate in the United States, and in 2014, drivers logged around 300 billion miles on the nation’s roads. 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.
"Our Roads, Our Responsibility supports our agency’s core mission of reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving commercial motor vehicles on our roadways," said FMCSA Administrator Scott Darling. "Roadway safety is a shared responsibility, and this initiative encourages everyone who uses our roads to be champions for safety. We look forward to working with all our partners to raise awareness around this issue."
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
Visit ShareTheRoadSafely.gov for additional information, including safety tips, statistics, infographics, and more.
