Fatigue, speed contribute to single-truck accidents

Driving while fatigued, going too fast and not wearing a seat belt — one or more of those factors are often part of the equation when commercial truck drivers have single-vehicle traffic accidents.

A recent study by the Utah Department of Transportation revealed that trend, and also showed six main stretches of roadway in the state where speeding and drowsy driving may present problems for truckers.

Now UDOT is teaming up with the Utah Trucking Association and the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration to launch a two-year, $200,000 campaign to improve truck-driving safety.

"We will have radio ads and billboards, especially in rural areas" where long stretches of road are flat and some drivers may speed or doze off, said UDOT spokesman Brent Wilhite.

"They will focus on the target areas of drowsy driving, wearing a seat belt and slowing down. Those are the main messages that we are trying to get out to truck drivers."

The program also includes an effort to educate regular motorists about how they can help truck drivers operate safely.

"How to really share the road and be good neighbors" is the point of that effort, said Rick Clasby, director of UDOT's Motor Carriers Division.

He said motorists should pass semitrailers in a timely manner and not spend too much time beside a truck because truck drivers do have blind spots and can't always see smaller vehicles.

"Likely, if you can't see the driver in the mirror, they can't see you, either," he said.

Motorists also should avoid trying to "jet in front of a truck while trying to merge onto the interstate. . . . All of the sudden, they're on the back end of a truck, and it becomes a real problem for other vehicles, but that truck has a requirement for a little additional space to stop and to maneuver," Clasby said.

David Creer, executive director of the Utah Trucking Association, said a recent AAA study showed about 70 percent of accidents involving cars and big rigs are caused by the automobiles.

"Our concern is definitely sharing the road — highway safety on both sides of the lane, for the trucker and the motorist," Creer said.

"We have a phenomenal (road) safety record here in this state. We're one of the best in the country. And we want to keep it that way — we want to lower it or keep our status as far as safety goes on our roads."