Over the past four years, more than 5,000 teens were killed in collisions with large trucks in the United States. Novice drivers ages 16- 24 are unnecessarily endangering themselves and others by failing to recognize that large commercial motor vehicles and cars differ in their handling characteristics. On the heels of the recent National Teen Driver Safety Week, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance continues to urge parents, educators and teens to visit its “Teens & Trucks” safe driving website at www.teensandtrucks.org.
“Teens & Trucks” is a safety training program aimed at reducing deaths related to CMV crashes and young drivers. CVSA developed Teens & Trucks in collaboration with the Arizona Trucking Association, Arizona Department of Public Safety, American Trucking Associations and related industry organizations. The goal of the training program is to help educate teens about safe driving practices around large trucks and buses.
Funding support for the “Teens & Trucks” program has been provided in part by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It includes an instructor’s manual, student workbook, DVD, brochures and one-page handout, as well as a public service announcement. To download these materials or to request a hard-copy kit, or to obtain more information about “Teens & Trucks” and how parents, educators and others can get involved, go to www.teensandtrucks.org.
“Ensuring young drivers learn a few key tips for driving safely around large trucks and buses will prepare them to be better drivers and, as a result, will help us significantly reduce the crashes and deaths that occur from poor driving behaviors around these vehicles,” says Stephen Keppler, CVSA executive director.
The “Teens & Trucks” program was unveiled in July 2010 as part of CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver campaign, a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) dedicated to improving commercial and noncommercial driver behavior and performance through effective enforcement, education and awareness strategies. For more information about Operation Safe Driver, go to www.operationsafedriver.org.
