Truckers offer tips on safe driving around trucks
But that doesn't mean he hasn't had some close calls. And often, Cash told the Utah media Thursday, those near-crashes were due to motorists not understanding how to properly share the road with big rigs.
"It happens every single day," he said of motorists crowding, tailgating and cutting in front of semi-trailers. "You need to give me my (space). I'm out here driving as safely as I know how to do."
Cash was in town to visit a North Salt Lake truck stop and spread the word about highway safety as part of the national Share the Road Safety Tour, sponsored by the American Trucking Association, the Utah Highway Patrol, AAA Utah and the Utah Trucking Association.
The C.R. England driver said there is a lack of information provided to the public about how to drive safely around trucks. Drivers' education classes and driver's license tests do not cover the basics Cash is trying to communicate to the public.
For example, a typical car should be at least 10 lengths ahead of a semi before changing into the lane in front of it, otherwise the trucker would not be able to stop in time if needed.
A motorist also should stay between 20 and 25 lengths behind a truck when following in the same lane. If not, the trucker very likely cannot see that vehicle.
Scenarios were demonstrated by Cash with a static demonstration of what truckers face on the nation's interstates every day.
"We need to get along (on the road) and we need to know how to do it safely," said AAA Utah spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough. "We definitely need to be more aware (of truckers), as much as we can, especially during the holiday weekend" when so many cars and trucks will be sharing the road.
And there will be more semis on the highways in the future. David Creer, executive director of the Utah Trucking Association, said the number of trucks on the road nationwide is expected to double in the next 20 years.
"In the old days, we relied on the railroad lines to move freight," he said. "Now, the freeway is the real freight corridor, just like the old rail lines."
Sgt. Bruce Clayton, a commercial vehicle enforcement officer with the Utah Highway Patrol, said some truck drivers also need to improve their etiquette on the road. But it is true, he said, that many motorists do not realize they need to give trucks a lot more room to operate than passenger vehicles.
"If we could put every member of the public in a truck for a day, there would be a lot better awareness," Clayton said.
Cash did just that to several members of the media, who volunteered to be his guinea pigs. Through a series of questions, he illustrated to the would-be drivers just how limited the sight lines are in a big rig. And when you're hauling 80,000 pounds, he noted, seeing is surviving.
Comments
- 'Potter' reflects on Hogwarts childhood 12:32 p.m.
- U.S. 'gesture' could win release? 12:32 p.m.
- Carrey to be a grandfather 12:26 p.m.
- UFC's milestone event 12:23 p.m.
- Sentencing for con man moved 12:19 p.m.
- New lobbyist reports due Friday 12:08 p.m.
- LDS seminary principal arrested 11:49 a.m.
- Power.com sues Facebook 11:40 a.m.
- Stocks falter 11:39 a.m.
- Mandela stays away from exhibition 11:38 a.m.
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Okur signs two-year extension
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Mall owner seeks to retain zoning
- Jazz rally for OT win at Orlando
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
140 - Letters: Palin mistreated
139 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
135 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
124 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
79 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
73 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
To "wallofvoodoo | 12:22 p.m." amen to that.
Ok stick with me here a second I just came up with a stat I would call...
If the Jazz somehow ended up with Pryzbilla, Thomas and Fernendez by loosing...
I don't believe it. This guy was the best. I really looked up to him. He was...
Where do the hippies expect people to get organic fertilizer?
no boozer no prob
Concerned - you might have a point if the fire were still going....
2nd seat is going to be an open seat. Bridgewater should run. Matheson...
Get on with it.The building needs to be moved. From what I know, Layton's a...
With so many cases along these lines popping up, I'm content to wait until...



You can be the first to comment on this story.