Published on: October 17, 2017

One-in-five traffic fatalities in B.C. occur in crashes involving large commercial vehicles. Studies show that the majority of car-truck fatalities are caused by passenger vehicle drivers.

Victoria, B.C. — In a province-wide campaign launched today, drivers are being urged to take extra precautions around large trucks to reduce crashes that result in a significant number of fatalities each year in British Columbia. The Be Truck Aware campaign – led by an alliance of B.C. road safety stakeholders – coincides with Operation Safe Driver week, a continent-wide initiative in which police and Commercial Vehicle Safety & Enforcement (CVSE) officers will be ticketing drivers of both cars and trucks for failing to share the road and follow safe driving practices.

Across North America, studies have shown that in car-truck crashes, occupants of the passenger vehicle are at far greater risk of being killed than the driver of the truck, and that the majority of fatal car-truck crashes are caused by passenger vehicle drivers.

What is the campaign?

Be Truck Aware is a combined campaign of education and enforcement aimed at reducing car-truck crashes. Passenger vehicle drivers are urged to:

• Leave space – large trucks need extra room to stop and to turn. Don’t take away their turning or braking room.
• Don’t merge too soon – when passing a truck make sure you can see both its headlights in your rear view mirror before merging back into the lane. If you merge too soon, the truck driver may not see you or be able to stop in time to avoid a crash.
• Be visible around trucks – either slow down or move well ahead of large trucks to stay out of the truck driver’s blind spots.
• Anticipate wide turns – watch for trucks making wide swings to turn right. Never drive ahead in the right lane beside a turning truck.

Similarly, truck drivers are being urged to take precautions to reduce crashes and their severity, specifically:

• Ensure brakes and tires are in top condition to minimize stopping distances.
• Adjust speed and driving in poor weather and road conditions.
• Stay sharp and focused by getting plenty of rest and eliminating in-cab distractions.
• Make sure loads are well-balanced and secure to reduce the likelihood of a crash and its impact on others.

The campaign will run October 17 to 31, 2017. Visit gov.bc.ca/betruckaware for more information.

Quotes:

Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General

“Everyone has a part to play in staying safe on our roads, so whether you’re walking, cycling, riding or driving – always Be Truck Aware. As part of BC’s Road Safety Strategy, we urge all drivers to employ safe driving practices and use extra caution around large commercial vehicles in order to reduce the kinds of crashes that result in tragic fatalities each year in our province.”

Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“We are committed to working together with all of our road safety partners to make our highways, bridges, and roads as safe and efficient as possible. Large commercial vehicles take longer to stop and turn, so it’s really important to leave extra space for them when on the road. We support the Be Truck Aware initiative and we encourage all drivers to be educated about large trucks and to use safe driving practices.”

Lindsay Matthews, Director of Road Safety, ICBC

“We’re asking drivers to consider their own driving behaviour around large trucks – if we want our roads to be safer, we first need to start with ourselves. Be aware and take precautions around trucks – including leaving extra space when changing lanes or when trucks are turning. The reality is these crashes are preventable and they’re contributing to the rising number of injury and vehicle damage claims in our province which are putting pressure on B.C. insurance rates.”

Chris Back, Director, Industry and Labour Services, WorkSafeBC

“WorkSafeBC is proud to partner in this Alliance’s commitment to eliminating incidents, injuries and fatalities involving commercial trucks and passenger vehicles on B.C. roads. Every commercial truck driver is a worker who deserves to arrive home safely. We urge all truck drivers and employers of drivers to also do their part to reduce the risk of collisions, including ensuring brakes and tires are in top condition, using caution in poor weather conditions, eliminating in-cab distractions, being well-rested and ensuring loads are well-balanced and secure.”

Louise Yako, President and CEO, BC Trucking Association

“Safety is a top priority for the trucking industry and our members. Every day, the vast majority of professional truck drivers deliver their loads without mishaps. The driving public can do their part by respecting the safety rules around operating near large trucks so that everyone gets home safe.”

Mark Donnelly, Executive Director, Safety Driven - Trucking Safety Council of BC

“Collisions involving large trucks are one of the top three causes of injury claims and claims costs in the trucking industry. It is important we remember that safe driving by all drivers is a shared responsibility on our roads.”

Stan Hennessy, International Vice President, President of Teamsters Local Union No. 31

“As a Teamster for the past 45 years and a former city driver, safety has always been a priority. With the ever-growing number of drivers crowding our busy streets, drivers have to be even more vigilant than ever.”

Background/Quick Facts

• In an average year in B.C., large trucks are involved in less than one percent of all crashes – but they’re involved in nearly 20 percent of fatal crashes.
• On average, between 2011 and 2015, 285 people were killed each year on B.C.’s roads and highways – 61 of them in crashes involving at least one large commercial vehicle.
• A survey of BC drivers conducted for the Be Truck Aware Alliance in June found that 80 percent of drivers surveyed claim to know how to drive safely around large trucks, but over 40 percent don’t always drive that way. In addition, nearly a third of drivers surveyed say they feel nervous driving around big trucks all or most of the time.
• Across North America, studies have shown that in car-truck collisions, occupants of the passenger vehicle are at far greater risk of being killed than the driver of the truck – at least four times greater, according to the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
• Additional studies show that in fatal car-truck collisions, two-thirds or more of the incidents are found to be the fault of the passenger vehicle.
• A fully loaded transport truck travelling at 65 km/h takes 36 percent longer to brake and stop than a passenger car travelling at the same speed. A fully loaded transport truck travelling at 105 km/h takes 66 percent longer to brake and stop than a passenger car travelling at the same speed.

Be Truck Aware is a campaign delivered as part of BC’s Road Safety Strategy. Alliance members include RoadSafetyBC, ICBC, WorkSafeBC, the Justice Institute of British Columba, RCMP, Commercial Vehicle Safety & Enforcement (CVSE), Teamsters Local 31, BC Trucking Association and Safety Driven – the Trucking Safety Council of BC.