ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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.
For more information on ATA's America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America, visit http://www.americasroadteam.com/.
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.
American Trucking Associations
CONTACT: Eric Reller of the American Trucking Associations, +1-703-838-1896
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