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Sharing The Road With Large Trucks - Tips From GM Motor Club.

Southfield, Mich. November 13, 2002; Big trucks. Big danger. More than 5,000 people died and another 131,000 were injured in 2001 after crashes with large trucks - defined as having a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds. Collisions with these trucks accounted for approximately 12 percent of all traffic fatalities and a total of 429,000 crashes, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

It's no wonder that the thought of driving close to a large truck is distressing for many drivers. The best way to reduce your chances of an accident is to drive smart and cautiously. GM Motor Club offers tips to help you do this.

* Don't cut them off. Fully loaded trucks can weigh up to 27 times more than the average automobile. That means a much longer stopping distance - up to twice the time and room compared to a car. Forcing them to stop quickly may cause a serious accident.

* Beware of blind spots. Often called "no-zones," they're around the front, back and sides of trucks. Move out of these areas because truck drivers may lose sight of you. A good rule of thumb - if you can't see the truck driver in the truck's mirror, he/she can't see you.

* Leave a "cushion." When following a truck, stay about 20-25 car lengths behind. This will better allow you to see the road ahead. This also leaves more room for braking. A safe driving distance in front of a truck is at least four car lengths. Make sure you can see the truck's headlights in your inside rear-view mirror.

* Pass quickly and on the left. Avoid passing on the right, where the truck driver's blind spot encompasses the entire trailer and expands to multiple lanes. Proceed in the left lane. Do so quickly, moving through the blind spot and avoiding being "trapped" next to the truck. Merge to the right once you see the front of the truck in your inside rear-view mirror.

* Watch for wide turns. Don't get stuck between the truck and the curb - which may result in a serious accident. In order to safely make a right turn, the truck driver is likely to swing wide left first. This is especially true in the city. With left turns, trucks need plenty of room to clear your vehicle. Help them out by stopping before the white line.

* Signals are key. Pay close attention to a truck's signals - allowing adequate room for it to maneuver. And make sure to use your signals. Truck drivers need to know your intended actions.

GM Motor Club also recommends visiting the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's website, www.nozone.org, to find out about their Share the Road Safely Campaign. The objective of this program is to reduce truck-related fatalities by 50 percent by 2010.

GM Motor Club provides nationwide emergency roadside service and travel benefits to owners of any make or model private passenger vehicle. For a single membership rate, GM Motor Club covers the member, spouse and dependent children under the age of 21 living in the residence. Coverage includes 24-hour 800-number access; 24-hour service for lockout, flat tire change, emergency fuel service or battery jump-start; and "no-mileage limit" towing to the nearest repair facility. Additional services include trip routing, map services, travel discounts and ATM/rental car locator. GM Motor Club is protection anytime, anywhere, for anyone. For more information, visit www.gmmotorclub.com or call 877 GM MOTOR (877-466-6867).

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration American Trucking Associations Wisconsin Department of Transportation