The Kansas Highway Patrol, the Kansas Corporation Commission, and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance are teaming up to reduce the number of crashes involving commercial trucks. Operation Safe Driver Week is being observed this year from July 10-16th. Law Enforcement Officers will be making a concerted conscientious effort to cite any driver, regardless of whether they are driving a big rig or a passenger vehicle if dangerous driving is observed, such as speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, improper lane change, and drunk or drugged driving.
Unfortunately, Monday had its 31st tragic fatal crash involving a commercial motor vehicle in Kansas when a pick-up ran into the back of a turning semi on US-160. Last year there were 52 fatal crashes involving commercial motor vehicles in Kansas, at the present rate this number will be exceeded this year.
KCC offers some tips to make sure you make it to your destination while sharing the road with large trucks this summer: Give them space and maintain a safe following distance, pass with care and don’t cut them off, stay out of their blind spots – if you can’t see their mirrors, they can’t see you, signal your intentions, focus on driving, not your phone and don’t drive fatigued.
