In an effort to reduce commercial motor vehicle related crashes, injuries and fatalities by combining outreach, education and evaluation with targeted enforcement activities to raise awareness among car and truck drivers about safe driving behaviors, the Florida Highway Patrol has kicked off their “Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks” or “TACT” campaign, according to FHP Public Affairs Officer Sgt. Mark Wysocky on Monday.
Especially when it involves large trucks, the “Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks” imitative is meant to encourage safe driving on interstates and highways throughout Florida. The campaign runs through the end of July.
“The Florida Highway Patrol will be looking for car and truck drivers who display aggressive behavior, such as following too closely, speeding and unsafe lane changes,” Sgt. Wysocky told Examiner. “When drivers follow too closely, they typically fail to recognize a trucker’s blind spots. Drivers can possibly avoid causing a serious accident by recognizing and respecting them.”
In fatal crashes involving large trucks, 88 percent of the time the accident is attributable to driver error by both car and truck drivers. Only 12 percent of the crashes are the result of vehicle defects, road conditions or inclement weather.
“Most crashes involving trucks involve driver error by both the car and truck driver,” stated Deputy Director Lt. Col. Kelly Hildreth in a prepared release. “We can reduce crashes if we all share the roadways and avoid aggressive driving behaviors and practice patience around big trucks.”
In addition to targeted enforcement, the TACT campaign uses billboard and radio messaging to increase awareness among car and truck drivers of safe driving behaviors and of the heightened risk of receiving a ticket for a violation.
The Florida Highway Patrol has offered the following tips for safe driving:
· Stay out of the No Zone – watch for the huge blind spots (No Zones) around large trucks.
· Pass trucks with caution – pass on the left side for maximum visibility and maintain a constant speed.
· Do not cut trucks off – large trucks cannot stop as quickly as cars.
· Practice patience and try to be predictable – avoid making erratic moves if a truck is not moving as fast as you want them to.
For more information about “Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks” campaign or the Florida Highway Patrol’s Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement program, please visit www.flhsmv.gov/fhp.
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