RCMP focused on commercial vehicles in June

By Morinville News Staff

Morinville – RCMP have designated June as Commercial Vehicle Safety Month under the Alberta Traffic Safety Plan. Morinville RCMP members and their road safety partners will be stepping up efforts to make sure commercial vehicles are operated safely.

There were 2,2930 large trucks involved in casualty collisions in Alberta between 2005 and 2009. In those collisions 316 died and another 3,479 were injured. The deaths include 41 truck drivers, 14 of whom were killed in single vehicle rollover crashes.

But the focus of the month is not entirely truck driver related. Police remind motorists trucks whether they are accelerating, braking, climbing a hill, switching lanes or turning onto a side street, big trucks must perform certain manoeuvres drivers of passenger vehicles are generally unfamiliar with.

They offer the following tips for passenger vehicle drivers:

Stay behind big trucks so that you can see both side mirrors on the truck.

Allow yourself extra time to pass a big rig.

Signal well in advance of a maneuver to give lots of notice when planning to turn or change lanes.

If you are driving beside a truck – watch for turn signals because many trucks require a wide turning radius.

Commercial vehicle drivers are encouraged to pull over when feeling tired; be alert to the actions of oncoming drivers and other drivers at intersections; complete proper pre and post trip inspections to ensure your vehicle is not operating.

With school out soon, it is wise to do a complete vehicle walk around as is the custom of many commercial operations. A small child could easily find the wheel well of a large commercial vehicle to be a great place to hide. A proper walk around prior to departing makes sure the vehicle is in proper order and no one is anywhere near it.

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