Safety is more than what is printed in your DMV study manual before you take your written test. Or before you step in and buckle up for your first mile at the wheel. The study manuals are different for every class of license in each state. The rules and regulations vary in each state and can be very confusing thinking everyone is operating from the same page.
But the one thing that isn’t different nationally is the reality of making choices to stay safe in a motor vehicle on the highways. There are commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) that keep America provided with all the necessities that are using highways, roads and streets in every state and town. There are buses that transport people to and from cities, towns and locations all over our country. Then there are personal motor vehicles (PMVs), which 95% of the population own to travel from their homes to do a million different things.
It might seem elementary, but actually it isn’t that simple. Each one has their own laws, regulations and ways of operation. For example, a CMV is a heavy vehicle that takes a lot further to stop and takes more room to make turns at intersections. Buses also make wider turns and take longer to stop. PMVs are smaller, faster, stop shorter and are hard to see by drivers of both CMVs and buses. CMVs and buses have blind spots in their sight lines, and CMV drivers can’t always see if a car is maneuvering in a way that might endanger both. Education of all drivers is needed to prevent crashes and casualties.
FMCSA created “Our Roads Our Safety” as a federal SAFETY campaign to help educate the general motoring public of the hazards and safety of operating around CMVs and buses. It’s a free educational campaign that provides easy access to the educational materials that can be shared in so many ways.
I became involved with Our Roads Our Safety in 2018 and in 2019 was chosen as the public service announcement (PSA) face and one of the VOICES OF SAFETY. I have learned and shared what a wonderful tool it is to keep us safe by sharing my voice on national billboard outlets and PSA radio and television commercials in your area. Also, sharing with schools, associations, organizations and law enforcement, we are saving lives. I have learned of the need to educate not only the general motoring public but other CMV drivers as well.
As a CMV operator I have found that way too many PMV operators don’t realize or have a clue how far it takes us to stop if they pull out in front of us or cut us off. The general motoring public seems not to be taught the stopping distance of a loaded CMV or a bus.When I was asked to join in helping to educate the nation on what it takes to drive my truck around the general motoring public I was and am still all for it!!!
Throughout the next several months I will be sharing the “TOOLKIT” and information of what it takes for us as CMV drivers to keep you, the general motoring public, safe around us. There is something for everyone no matter what you drive.
For tips on safer driving and for your free OUTREACH TOOLKIT of safer motoring around CMVs and buses, Our Roads Our Safety can be found at here.
Stay tuned for how you can help save a life by driving safely!!
