Educate the Public

[truckblue]

I was wondering why the Government doesn't spend some money on making some public safety messages that address the do's and don'ts on sharing the road with commercial vehicles. So often, a driver in a personal vehicle causes a truck driver to make a split second decision to avoid a collision, I see and experience this on a daily basis.
What about some laws that require a "safety zone" around commercial vehicles on the highways.
I feel the burden of driving safely around these big vehicles should be shared by all.

 

[greg334]

They do in some parts. Some have signs showing a truck and a car cutting it off, while others, like Michigan have new electronic signs telling you to go to Mich.gov/safety to find information on how to drive safer around trucks.

 

[Slo-Ride]

I don't know if there is any money (left) to be spent??
We have been educating the public on driving since each driver turned 16. Nothing will change until law enforcement starts enforcing laws we have in place now.
Exp: tailgating,no passing on right, obey posted speed limits etc etc.
Every driver out here seems to be living in a world thats all bout them and has thrown common sense and courtesy out the window. We live in a fast paced world and we all want to get there faster now at any cost.

 

[moose]

The problem lay with the new drivers training ,not billboards .
this should be a part of the drivers educations and testing .before they get their driving privilege.

 

[cheri1122]

As was pointed out, there already are signs cautioning drivers to leave space around trucks - but 'education' only goes so far.
Biggest problem I see is aggressive driving: tailgating, abrupt and/or frequent [often improperly signaled] lane changes, and self centered failure to yield the right of way, or take one's turn when congestion and bottlenecks occur.
It's a problem because law enforcement persists in focusing on speeding, because that's what they can 'prove' with the least potential for dispute.
I'd be willing to bet that speed ranks FAR below aggressive driving as a causative factor in crashes, but the law continues to pretend otherwise, to everyone's detriment.

 

[ntimevan]

TURNING SIGNALS LOL I don't think 75 % of the PUBLIC knows WHAT they are for.

 

[DaWhale]

As was pointed out, there already are signs cautioning drivers to leave space around trucks - but 'education' only goes so far.
Biggest problem I see is aggressive driving: tailgating, abrupt and/or frequent [often improperly signaled] lane changes, and self centered failure to yield the right of way, or take one's turn when congestion and bottlenecks occur.
It's a problem because law enforcement persists in focusing on speeding, because that's what they can 'prove' with the least potential for dispute.
I'd be willing to bet that speed ranks FAR below aggressive driving as a causative factor in crashes, but the law continues to pretend otherwise, to everyone's detriment.

It's cheaper to sit, shoot, then write speeding tickets. Here in Houston the PD sits under the over passes and writes tickets for seat belts, inspection stickers and registrations to vehicles using the U-Turn lanes.

It's not about safety, it's taxation by citation.

 

[xiggi]

there is bad 4 wheel drivers and plenty of bad truck drivers too. People are people and they drive everything. As they say you can't fix stupid.

 

[Weady2Wun]

Moose -- You are right on the target!

 

[Jack_Berry]

public citizen, in the latest copy of the trucker, wants to reduce the driving day to 8 hrs. the work week to 40 and the layover to 48. maybe they can get behind a plan to educate drivers to really make themselves useful. read the usa today link on speeders.

Police boost use of unmarked cars to target speeders - USATODAY.com

 

[Slo-Ride]

Im not against the use of unmarked patrol cars but I think seeing a police presents on the interstate is a better way to reduce the freeway speeders,I know every time I see one sitting in the middle or on top of a vi dock it makes me think and become more aware of what I'm doing.
Thats what I like bout Ohio,,those guys rarely hid like a Mich state trooper does,they sit in the middle showing they are out there.

 

[truckblue]

I agree with all the comments. I was thinking more of a mass media campaign...TV, billboards...and the driver ed. for teens should put more emphasis on the subject.
My two biggest pet peeves are folks coming on to highway from a ramp, and don't bother to try and time thier entrance by speeding up or slowing down, if they even look at all!
The other is, when I put my right blinker on to change lanes, that's not a signal for the 4 wheeler riding my rear end, to pass me on the right.
There, I've vented, and feel much better, thanks.