National Share the Road Highway Safety Program Visits Texas

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 3,422 traffic deaths statewide in 2007. 

Featured at today's event were professional truck drivers Ralph Garcia (ABF Freight System), Gary Leu (Wal-Mart Transportation) and Ben Saiz (ABF Freight System). These drivers are members of an elite team of million-mile, accident-free truck drivers who deliver the trucking industry's safety messages across the country.

 

Leu told reporters at the event that, "Share the Road allows me as a truck driver to give people life-saving advice. Most automobile drivers were never taught what they can do to avoid an accident with a tractor-trailer. By being aware of the blind spots around trucks, all drivers can more easily avoid crashes. This information, and other safety advice, will help everyone to share the roads safely."

 

Today's presentation of Share the Road safety measures is important for motorists because, according to statistics:

 

 

• In 2007, there were 3,422 traffic deaths in Texas. (TxDOT)
• There are over 20 million registered cars in Texas, a 40 percent increase since 2000. (TxDOT)
• 35 percent of all truck-involved highway fatalities occur in a truck's blind spots (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).
• According to three different studies -- including the AAA Traffic Safety Foundation and DOT, 3 out of 4 truck-involved fatalities are unintentionally initiated by car drivers.

If you or someone you care about has been injured or killed in a trucking accident, please contact Matt Shaffer and Jonathan Harris of SMSH, both of whom have recovered millions of dollars for victims of these accidents.