Truck Drivers Say Double-Spacing Among Keys to Safe Work Zones

    ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 20 Spring 2001 is here and along
with the warmer temperatures come increased highway construction and traffic
congestion.  For these reasons, the professional truck drivers of the American
Trucking Associations' (ATA) America's Road Team offer some driving tips to
help motorists safely navigate the thousands of work zones soon to be set up
across the U.S.

    The Road Team Captains -- each with million-mile, accident-free records --
uniformly recommend extra caution, reduced speeds and increased following
distances for safe work zone driving.  Included in their common sense advice:

    *     Double your usual following distance. Without it, you won't have
          time to safely react to warnings or hazards, like debris or potholes
          that suddenly pop out from under the vehicle ahead.

    *     Get into the correct lane well in advance, but, where traffic is
          merging into a single lane, be extremely cautious of unsafe
          motorists racing to get ahead of slowing traffic.

    *     Pay close attention to construction equipment while in a work zone.
          You never know their next move so be ready to stop.

    *     Where a temporary median crossover is used, drivers beware: uneven
          or sloped road surfaces can dramatically affect handling and
          stability.

    *     Drivers should report an absence of signs, or poor signage, to the
          appropriate highway department.

    "Above all, be patient," says Walter B. McCormick, Jr., ATA President and
CEO.  "All drivers have to realize that frustration and inattention can easily
lead to crashes.  A split second burst of aggressive driving in a cramped
construction zone just isn't worth the often-tragic consequences."
    The Road Team drivers also have a few suggestions for highway construction
crews that might improve cooperation from motorists.

    To the extent possible, work zone signage should tell drivers what is
going on and what is expected of them.  This, according the ATA's Road Team
drivers, adds credibility to the warnings, hopefully leading drivers to
believe -- and obey -- the signs.

    In addition, the professional truck drivers recommend that construction
crews alert drivers to work zones at least two or three miles before they
begin.  This prevents many last-minute merger problems and allows drivers
enough time to get into proper lanes at proper speeds.

    "For the next several months, the highways will be the workplace for both
truck drivers and construction workers," said McCormick.  "Let's do what we
can to make them safe for everyone."