Drivers urged to Be Truck Aware

A province-wide campaign was launched today to make drivers more cautious around large trucks to reduce crashes resulting in fatalities.

The Be Truck Aware campaign, led by an alliance of B.C. road safety stakeholders, coincides with Operation Safe Driver week where police and commercial vehicle safety and enforcement officers will be ticketing drivers of both cars and trucks for failing to share the road and follow safe driving practices.

“We are committed to working together with all of our road safety partners to make our highways, bridges, and roads as safe and efficient as possible,” says Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

“We support the Be Truck Aware initiative and we encourage all drivers to be educated about large trucks and to use safe driving practices.”

In B.C., one-in-five traffic fatalities happen in crashes involving large commercial vehicles.

Studies show in North America, passenger vehicle drivers cause the majority of fatal car-truck crashes and occupants of the passenger vehicle are at far greater risk of being killed than the driver of the truck.

“We’re asking drivers to consider their own driving behaviour around large trucks. If we want our roads to be safer, we first need to start with ourselves,” explains Lindsay Matthews, ICBC Director of Road Safety.

“Be aware and take precautions around trucks – including leaving extra space when changing lanes or when trucks are turning. The reality is these crashes are preventable and they’re contributing to the rising number of injury and vehicle-damage claims in our province, which are putting pressure on B.C. insurance rates.”

Large trucks need room. Take extra precautions when driving around trucks. https://t.co/NoRNZTM9zw #BeTruckAware pic.twitter.com/BBHcetFd8C

— WorkSafeBC (@WorkSafeBC) October 17, 2017

Be Truck Aware is urging the following to passenger vehicle drivers:

• 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.

“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,” says Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

“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.”

Passenger vehicle drivers aren’t the only ones responsible for safety, truck drivers are being reminded of these precautions:

• 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 runs from October 17th to October 31st.