Life and Death on Americas Highways
We have all seen ads about the importance of wearing your seat belt or having a designated driver when going out to drink. How many times have you seen an ad concerning the "No Zone"?
The "No Zone" is part of a campaign by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Association to help drivers recognize the dangers of traveling the highways with eighteen-wheelers. It refers to the zones directly behind the vehicle, the blind spots on either side of the vehicle, and the cut off zone directly in front of the vehicle. These zones are emphasized as dangerous because passing motorists can not be seen by the driver of the truck.Imagine driving down the interstate on a windy day. With the high prices of gasoline, who wouldn't want to save a little money by getting better gas mileage? We have all heard how drafting can do just that. You see a big truck merge onto the highway ahead of you, so you decide to fall in close behind it. A few miles down the road, you are listening to your favorite song turned up really loud just enjoying your drive when KA BOOM! Dust balloons up blinding you. Rocks pelt your windshield like hail pouring down from the sky. A huge piece of rubber slams your windshield and hood causing a huge dent. You duck and swerve narrowly missing rear-ending the truck, but by swerving, you almost sideswipe a passing car. Horns honk and rumble strips roar as you regain control of your vehicle and your pounding heart.
Now imagine gliding down a highway. You come up on a truck you think is going too slow. You hop out into the left lane to pass and as soon as you are around him, you slide right in front of his bumper. As you smile to yourself at how much power your car has and how well it handles, a huge buck jumps out in front of you. Your first and natural reaction is to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting him. Then the screeching of tires, the sound of a Jake brake, and the blast of an air horn fills your ears. You don't even have time to glance in your rear view mirror before you feel the impact. As the rig tries to get stopped, it pushes you almost the length of an entire football field before he is done. You are injured and you realize there is an eighteen-wheeler sitting in your trunk.
The instances described above are typical examples of what a truck driver faces every day. It is important to understand that these large vehicles are a valuable resource but they can pose danger if they are not given the proper respect. The key is for all drivers to drive defensively and courteously. Today's trucks are not the slow mammoths some believe them to be. They are powerful freight pulling machines designed for the safe and timely delivery of goods. Eighteen-wheelers should also not be considered as invisible. A large vehicle needs more room to maneuver including turning, stopping, and merging. Motorists need to be aware that other types of vehicles have special requirements. A positive outcome of increased safety for all drivers can be achieved by sharing the responsibility of the road and staying out of the "No Zone".
