Drivers urged to ‘Be Truck Aware’ to reduce crashes

A provincewide campaign to reduce crashes on B.C. roads was launched on Tuesday.

Drivers are being urged to take extra precautions around large trucks to reduce crashes that result in a significant number of fatalities each year in B.C.

The ‘Be Truck Aware’ campaign, led by an alliance of B.C. road safety stakeholders, coincides with Operation Safe Driver week.

"Everyone has a part to play in staying safe on our roads, so whether you're walking, cycling, riding or driving - always Be Truck Aware,” said Minister of Public Safety, Mike Farnsworth.

“As part of BC's Road Safety Strategy, we urge all drivers to employ safe driving practices and use extra caution around large commercial vehicles in order to reduce the kinds of crashes that result in tragic fatalities each year in our province."

Operation Safe Drive week is a continent-wide intiative in which police and commercial vehicle safety and enforcement officers will be ticketing drivers of both cars and trucks for failing to properly share the road.

One-in-five traffic fatalities in B.C. occur in crashes involving large commercial vehicles.

Unsurprisingly, studies across North America have shown that occupants of the passenger vehicles are at far greater risk of being killed than the driver of the truck in such accidents.

In addition, the majority of these fatal car-truck crashes are caused by the passenger vehicles.

‘Be Truck Aware’ is a combined campaign of education and enforcement aimed at reducing car-truck crashes and it’s urging passenger vehicle drivers to:

• Leave space: Large trucks need extra room to stop and to turn. Don't take away their turning or braking room.
• Don't merge too soon: When passing a truck, make sure you can see both its headlights in your rear-view mirror before merging back into the lane. If you merge too soon, the truck driver may not see you or be able to stop in time to avoid a crash.
• Be visible around trucks: Either slow down or move well ahead of large trucks to stay out of the truck driver's blind spots.
• Anticipate wide turns: Watch for trucks making wide swings to turn right. Never drive ahead in the right lane beside a turning truck.

Similarly, truck drivers are being urged to take precautions to reduce crashes and their severity:

• Ensure brakes and tires are in top condition to minimize stopping distances.
• Adjust speed and driving in poor weather and road conditions.
• Stay sharp and focused by getting plenty of rest and eliminating in-cab distractions.
• Make sure loads are well-balanced and secure to reduce the likelihood of a crash and its impact on others.

The campaign will run from October 17th until October 31st.