Groups targeting car-semitrailer crashes in Utah

WEST JORDAN — The Utah Department of Transportation is hoping to cut the number of car crashes involving semitrailer trucks in the state by educating young drivers about blind spots and passing distances.

Data from the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration show that Utah drivers age 26 and younger are 82 percent more likely to be involved in a crash with a semitrailer truck than drivers in the same age range nationwide, according to Rick Clasby, director of UDOT's Motor Carriers Division. Statistics also show that at least 75 percent of the crashes nationwide involving trucks and cars are the fault of the car driver.

The agency held an event Wednesday at Copper Hills High School to educate about two dozen driver's education students about being "Truck Safe." The students were able to sit in the cab of a truck, look in its mirrors and try to see a car parked in the truck's blind spot.

"You can't see anything," Steven Trujillo, a 15-year-old student said after sitting in the cab.

Clasby did not have an explanation for why Utah drivers were more likely to be involved in crashes with the trucks. But he is hopeful that educating young drivers will help cut that percentage.

Jason Christensen, a 15-year-old sophomore at Copper Hills High School, said he learned that the vehicle's blind spots are larger than he thought.

"There were areas that I thought were safe, but they're not," Christensen said about driving near the trucks.

To safely pass a truck, UDOT and other safety advocates say a motorist should allow for one car-length of distance for every 10 mph a person is traveling. If a truck is traveling 60 mph, motorists should wait to pass until the truck is at least six car-lengths in front.

Another tip: If you can't see the driver in his or her mirrors, the driver cannot see you.

UDOT has already met with driver's education teachers across the state to promote safe driving around trucks. The agency plans to run some advertisements about safe driving in programs that high schools distribute for championship events such as basketball or debate.

For more information about UDOT's "Truck Smart" program, log on to www.udot.utah.gov.

---

E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com