AAA Texas: Car Drivers Often at Fault in Fatal Car - Truck Crashes; Car and Truck Drivers Need to Learn to Share the Road Safely.

News Editors & Automotive/Travel Writers

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 23, 2002

A new study released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that if car drivers change their behavior when driving around big trucks (over 10,000 lbs.), they would reduce their involvement in crashes and ultimately save lives.

The study says nationally, car drivers are more likely to cause car-truck fatalities than truck drivers. In 2000, more than 5,000 people died and about 140,000 were injured in crashes involving large trucks.

A key finding of the study is that the causes of fatal car-truck crashes are very similar to those of fatal car-car crashes. "This suggests that people drive the same way around big trucks as they do around other cars," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "It indicates that car drivers need to realize that greater precautions must be taken when driving near trucks. Big trucks take longer to brake than cars and cannot respond as quickly as cars to abrupt lane changes. If both truck and car drivers drive safely and responsibly, the potential for a crash diminishes."

The AAA Foundation study points out that car drivers account for nearly 98% of driver fatalities in car-truck crashes primarily because of the differences in the size of the vehicles. It notes that five driving behaviors contribute to the majority of the fatal crashes:

-- Not changing lanes abruptly

-- Slowing down to let trucks have the right of way

-- Driving at a safe speed

-- Staying alert to traffic signals and road conditions

-- Using turn signals

-- Never cutting in front of a truck

-- Avoiding driving alongside trucks whenever possible because if you can't see the truck driver's face in the side mirror, he or she can not see you

-- Avoiding tailgating

AAA Texas and AAA recommend that drivers change the way they drive around big trucks by:

-- Not changing lanes abruptly

-- Slowing down to let trucks have the right of way

-- Driving at a safe speed

-- Staying alert to traffic signals and road conditions

-- Using turn signals

-- Never cutting in front of a truck

-- Avoiding driving alongside trucks whenever possible because if you can't see the truck driver's face in the side mirror, he or she can not see you

-- Avoiding tailgating

The study only addressed single-car/single-truck fatalities, and did not address injuries or property damage.

AAA Texas will publish information for members about driving safely near trucks in its Texas Journey magazine. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study can be found at http://www.aaa-foundation.org.

AAA Texas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas' members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' Web site at www.aaa-texas.com.