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KSP To Participate in National 'Operation Safe Driver' Campaign

By Officer DeWayne Koch, Public Affairs Officer
Region 2, Kentucky State Police, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement

FRANKFORT, KY - The KSP Commercial Vehicle Division will participate in the national 'Operation Safe Driver' campaign from October 16-22, 2011. The program is sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).

Operation Safe Driver will hold activities across the United States, Canada and Mexico that aim to increase commercial vehicle and non-commercial vehicle traffic enforcement; safety belt enforcement; driver roadside inspections; driver regulatory compliance; implementation of commercial driver educational and awareness programs to the motor carrier population; and, awareness to the motoring public about safe operations around commercial motor vehicles.



Each year more than 36,000 people die on the roadways throughout North America - many of which are the direct result of unsafe and aggressive driving practices by both passenger and commercial vehicle drivers.

In Kentucky last year, there were over 127,000 total collisions and nearly 8,500 involved commercial vehicles.

KSP Commercial Vehicle Division Director, Lt. Col. Jack Miniard says KSP will focus on enforcement efforts and roadside inspections to increase driver performance on the highways. "While overall highway fatalities are declining, poor driver behaviors are increasing - and not just among truck and motorcoach operators, mind you, but car drivers as well," says Miniard.

Operation Safe Driver focuses on changing the habits of all drivers to avoid distracted driving. KSP supports this philosophy and offers the following tips when driving around large trucks.
  • Stay out of the No-Zone. No-Zones are actual blind spots where the car "disappears" from the view of the truck driver
  • Stay visible! Large trucks need a much longer braking distance than a car. Don't cut into a trucks' space; if this happens it reduces a trucks' much needed breaking distance and restricts evasive action
  • Don't tailgate a truck. The further you are away from a truck the less likely you will be involved in a collision
  • Don't speed. Obey all speed limits
  • Allow plenty of room. Large trucks are almost as wide as your lane of travel. Pacing too close behind one prevents you from reacting to changing traffic conditions and patterns
  • Buckle-up. Wearing your safety belt is the single most important thing you can do to save your life in a crash
  • Pay attention. Distracted driving is the number one cause of collisions. Focus on the road and stay alert! Protect yourself and your passengers by learning how to share the road safely with large vehicles and avoid distracted driving.
Citizens can contribute to highway safety by reporting erratic drivers to the Kentucky State Police toll-free at 1-800-222-5555. Callers will remain anonymous and should give a description of the vehicle, location, direction of travel and license number if possible. - OFFICER DeWAYNE KOCH.

Operation Safe Driver


This story was posted on 2011-10-14 08:08:27
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