These talking points can be used anywhere to spread the Our Roads, Our Safety message. Download the PDF for easy reference or copy and paste the text, below. 

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Talking Points

The Our Roads, Our Safety campaign began in 2016 to educate all road users, change behavior and improve road safety for everyone. Our Roads, Our Safety is one component of delivering on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) mission to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. The campaign has evolved over the years, growing in reach and impact annually. At its core, the Our Roads, Our Safety campaign reaches passenger vehicle drivers, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians with messaging surrounding three key safety challenges large trucks and buses face:

1. Longer Stopping Distances

Trucks and buses need more stopping time and distance than smaller vehicles, and stopping distance increases with heavier loads or challenging road conditions.

• Trucks traveling at highway speeds can take the length of up to two football fields to stop
• When driving near a truck or bus, never suddenly cut in front as it reduces the truck’s allowable safe stopping distance.

2. Huge Blind Spots

Commercial motor vehicles have large blind spots around all four sides, so it’s important to take extra care when passing or being passed by large trucks and buses.

• Until you see the driver’s face in his or her mirror, you’re in a blind spot.
• The safest place for passenger vehicle drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians is either behind or in front of large trucks and buses – don’t tarry beside large vehicles.

3. Wider Turning Radius

Trucks and buses don’t maneuver like cars and we need to give them extra space to turn.

• Large vehicles can’t easily turn right from the right lane and may need to swing out to the left to create enough turning space.
• When a truck or bus is turning right, never try to squeeze between the vehicle and the right curb.