National Share The Road Highway Safety Program’s Stop Over In Americade

Yesterday, significant life-saving highway driving tips were offered by top professional truck drivers as part of the American Trucking Associations' national Share the Road highway safety tour. The Auto Channel reported that the 2008 Americade motorcycle rally presented a wonderful set for the selected group of million mile accident-free drivers to offer their important points in road safety. Motorcycles are the only foremost motor vehicle class in which death rates have increased during the last ten years according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Share the Road stop of The Lake George, N.Y revealed to drivers how to share the road safely with large trucks with sturdy truck parts. As part of ATA's National Safety Month outreach efforts, the program will carry on through Saturday afternoon, with particularly scheduled "ride-alongs" accessible by demand.

"Americade is a chance for us to talk to a large number of motorcycle enthusiasts about the techniques they should know in order to stay safe around tractor-trailers. Being from upstate New York myself, I feel like I am making a difference here with motorists I see on the highways. Hopefully attendees will leave the show with a better understanding of passing safely, maintaining a safe speed and keeping a minimum following distance, so everyone stays safe out on the highway," says David May, a professional truck driver for Con-way Freight.

The program will feature professional truck drivers Wayne Crowder (FedEx Ground), Kent Durant (Roadway) and David May (Con-way Freight) at this weekend's event. Aside from their broad knowledge about road safety and truck parts, these driving experts are members of a selected team of million-mile, accident-free truck drivers who bring the trucking business’ safety words, in all corners of the country.

"Share the Road allows me as a truck driver to give people life-saving advice. Most drivers were never taught what they can do to avoid an accident with a tractor-trailer. By being aware of the blind spots around trucks, all drivers can more easily avoid crashes. This information, and other safety advice, will help everyone to share the roads safely,” explained Crowder to all attendees and reporters at the event.

According to the news, today's presentation of Share the Road safety measures are vital to motorists because:

• Motorcycle fatalities have increased nearly 60 percent for the period of the last five years (NHTSA).

• 35 percent of all truck-involved highway deaths take place in a truck's blind spots (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).

• According to three different studies - including the AAA Traffic Safety Foundation and DOT, 3 out of 4 truck-involved fatalities are by mistake set off by car drivers.

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.