Teens in the Driver Seat

A peer-to-peer safe driving program for your school.

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Respect the Rig

Trucks and buses are extremely large, travel long distances, and deliver the goods we need. Respect the Rig by learning the risks they pose and giving them space.

Through generous support from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, TDS is offering a limited number of Respect the Rig learning opportunities for school and community events. We can offer learning resources for your events. Please contact your regional representative for more information and assistance in scheduling.

The Risks Driving Around Large Trucks and Buses

Outreach in your school or community? Find a complete Big Rig Activity Kit here>

Roll Overs

Rigs and large buses are at greater risk for rolling over because of their size and weight. Rigs could roll over for being too top heavy, high winds, or taking a curve too quickly.

Wide Turns

Trucks make wider turns to avoid hitting the curb, light poles, or anything else by the road. In order to do this, they usually leave a wide space to the left/right of the truck. Do not pull into this space or you could end up wedged between the two with a crushed car.

Safety Tips

Also…

  1. Don’t Cut Off A Truck or Bus – Do not cut in front of a truck because they can’t see directly in front of their rig. It also takes trucks a longer distance to stop, and cutting in front of them before a stop light increases the risk of a crash.
  2. Let the Truck/Bus Pass You – Reduce your speed slightly when a truck is trying to pass you. This makes it easier for them to get around your car.
  3. Lower Your Brights  – Trucks’ and Bus’ large side mirrors reflect bright lights from other vehicles into the driver’s eyes.

Large Trucks and Buses by the Numbers

  • Traveling at 65 MPH it can take a fully loaded truck an average of  200 yards to come to a complete stop. That’s the length of two football fields!
  • Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That’s as much as six elephants.
  • Truck drivers travel a total of 140 billion miles in the US each year. That’s almost 300,000 round trips to the moon!
  • There are nearly 12 million Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) registered to operate on America’s roadways.
  • In 2016, 4,440 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, an 2-percent increase from 2015 nationwide. 1 
  • The number of buses involved in fatal crashes decreased from 263 to 227, a decrease of 14 percent nationwide. 1 
  • Trucks typically weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger vehicles.
  • On average, 62% of fatal teen crashes occurred on rural roadways and an average of 53% of the fatal crashes occurred between 6 pm – 6 am1

Sources:

  1. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association, Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2016