The American Trucking Associations (ATA) recently brought its ‘Share the Road’ tour to Coon Rapids High School in Minnesota, teaching students about the importance of safe interactions with large trucks on the road.
Zion Smith, a senior at Coon Rapids High School, participated in the program, getting a firsthand look at the blind spots around a semi-truck. ‘Whoa,’ she said after realizing she couldn’t see a bicycle in front of, a car beside, or a pickup truck behind the semi. ‘It made me think we have to be cautious around semis. It’s scary.’
Dave Hedicker, a truck driver with 39 years of experience and over 4 million crash-free miles, explained to students that truck blind spots, or ‘No Zones,’ can extend over two to three lanes. He emphasized that lingering in these areas can lead to serious consequences. ‘If you can’t see our mirrors, we can’t see you,’ he warned.
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that in 2022, 5,936 people died and an estimated 160,608 were injured in crashes involving large trucks. Research indicates that the behavior of passenger vehicle drivers is often the leading factor in fatal crashes involving trucks. A study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute found that drivers of cars, vans, SUVs, pickup, or light trucks were responsible for 70% of fatal crashes, while truck drivers were blamed 16% of the time.
Hedicker highlighted common reasons for car-truck crashes, including tailgating, cutting off trucks, and abrupt lane changes. He advised drivers to pass trucks quickly and not return to the lane until they can see both of the truck’s headlights. ‘At 65 miles per hour, it takes a truck the length of two football fields to stop,’ he explained.
John Hausladen, president of the Minnesota Trucking Association, which helped bring the ‘Share the Road’ program to several local high schools, stressed the importance of the initiative. ‘Anything we can do to help them safely share the road is a win. When a crash happens, it’s always bad.’
Students like Carter Green, a ninth-grader, took the message to heart. ‘I am going to try to be far behind or far in front of the truck,’ he said, planning to share the advice with his parents. Lana Matthews, a finance secretary at Coon Rapids High, noted that the visual lesson was ‘strong and impactful,’ emphasizing the need for drivers of all ages to give trucks space to maintain safety on the roads.
