MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
Q9302013-2 (573) 526-6115

October 1, 2013
EMPHASIS: Operation Safe Driver Scheduled For October 20-26, 2013

Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the Patrol will take part in Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's Operation Safe Driver during the week of October 20-26, 2013. Operation Safe Driver is an enforcement program that targets unsafe and aggressive driving by passenger and commercial motor vehicle drivers in order to raise awareness and make our roadways safer.

Each year more than 36,000 people die in traffic crashes throughout North America -- many of which are the direct result of unsafe and aggressive driving practices by both passenger and commercial vehicle drivers.

Troopers will be specifically targeting traffic violations that can lead to traffic crashes, such as speeding, following too close, use of a handheld mobile device (in commercial vehicles), and failure to signal when changing lanes or turning.

Motorists are urged to share the road, be courteous drivers, and pay attention—no matter what size vehicle they operate. Drivers of smaller vehicles are urged to take extra care when driving near commercial vehicles. Motorists should keep the following in mind:

Stay out of the No-Zone. No-Zones are actually blind spots where the car disappears from the view of the truck driver.

Stay visible! Large trucks need a much longer braking distance than a car. Don't cut into a truck's space. If this happens, it reduces a truck's much needed breaking distance and restricts evasive action.

Don't tailgate a truck. The further you are away from a truck the less likely you will be involved in a collision.

Don't speed. Obey all speed limits.

Allow plenty of room. Large trucks are almost as wide as your lane of travel. Driving too close behind one prevents you from reacting to changing traffic conditions and patterns.

Buckle up. Wearing your safety belt is the single most important thing you can do to save your life in a crash.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division will be joined by the Kansas City Police Department Commercial Vehicle Unit, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department's Commercial Vehicle Unit, and Missouri Department of Transportation's Motor Carrier Services for Operation Safe Driver.

(###)