National Share the Road Safety Program Visits Fort Worth to Teach Teens Safe Driving Techniques Around Large Trucks

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Nov 15, 2010, 09:05 ET

Over 12.6 million new drivers will get licenses this year.

Most teen drivers were never taught what they can do to avoid an accident with a tractor-trailer.

FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free driving miles will demonstrate safety measures critical to saving lives on Texas highways. With a focus on new teen drivers, a static demonstration with simulated highway lanes will show how cars and trucks get into accidents. Professional truck drivers will give tips on blind spots, safe-merging techniques, and stopping and following distances.

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Who:	Share the Road professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free driving miles, the American Trucking Associations, and ProDrivers.

What:	The national Share the Road safety tour will be conducting highway safety demonstrations for teen drivers, including climbing into the cab of a tractor-trailer to "see what truck drivers can and cannot see" at three Fort Worth high schools November 16-18. Ride-alongs are available to media by appointment.

When:	Tuesday, November 16, 8 a.m. – noon (Media ride-alongs by appointment during this time)
	2-4 p.m. - James M. Steele Accelerated High School (606 N. Walnut, Roanoke)

	Wednesday, November 17, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
	Byron Nelson High School (2775 Bobcat Blvd., Trophy Club)

	Thursday, November 18, 9:45 a.m. – 2 p.m.
	Northwest High School (2301 Texan Drive, Justin)

Where:	Ft. Worth, Texas Area High Schools

This safety advice is critical for Texas teen drivers because:

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of American teenagers.
16-year-olds are more likely to be involved in single vehicle crashes, be responsible for the crash, be cited for speeding, and have more passengers than older drivers (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
35 percent of all truck-involved highway fatalities occur in a truck's blind spots (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).
Up to 75 percent of all truck-involved fatalities are unintentionally initiated by car drivers (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety).
Watching this demonstration will help reduce accidents and save lives.

About Share the Road:

Share the Road is a highway safety outreach program of the American Trucking Associations that educates all drivers about sharing the roads safely with large trucks. An elite team of professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free miles deliver life-saving messages to millions of motorists annually. The safety program is sponsored by Mack Trucks, Inc. and Michelin North America, Inc. www.atastr.org

About American Trucking Associations:

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. www.truckline.com

About ProDrivers:

ProDrivers is the largest transportation services company in the United States, specializing in CDL Drivers. With over 3000 drivers delivering services to over 800 companies nationally, ProDrivers matches drivers experience with the client's unique operational requirements with a particular emphasis on safety. http://www.prodrivers.com

SOURCE American Trucking Associations