TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Florida Highway patrol campaign is highlighting the danger of aggressive driving behaviors when interacting with large trucks on the road.
The campaign, which started last week, will run through March 8, 2018. The safety campaign is titled Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks (TACT).
"FHP is committed to reducing the number of commercial vehicle-related crashes on Florida roadways and helping ensure motorists Arrive Alive," said Colonel Gene Spaulding, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. "Motorists can reduce crashes if they share the roads safely, avoid aggressive driving behaviors and exercise additional caution when driving near larger vehicles."
Crashes involving a large commercial vehicle can be extremely dangerous as these vehicles can be as long as eighty feet and weigh up to twenty tons. The large size also means it takes forty percent longer to come to a stop compared to a smaller vehicle.
Motorists should protect themselves and their passengers by learning how to share the road safely.
FHP offers these tips for driving around large trucks:
- Stay out of the No Zone: Be aware that large trucks have large blind spots (also known as "No Zones").
- Pass trucks with caution: Pass on the left side for maximum visibility and maintain a constant speed.
- Do not cut trucks off: Be sure to leave plenty of room when you pull in front of a truck. Large trucks simply can’t stop as quickly as smaller vehicles.
- Practice patience around larger vehicles that are not traveling at the same speed as your vehicle.
- Don’t drive distracted: Anything that takes your full attention off of the road, even for a second, could be deadly. This includes texting, changing the radio station, talking to passengers and much more.
For more information about TACT, FHP’s commercial motor vehicle enforcement and No Zones, visit: http://www.flhsmv.gov/florida-highway-patrol/about-fhp/.
