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Highway Patrol begins 2-week program to reduce traffic dangers

By Robin L. Gardner | Independent Tribune

Published: February 3, 2009

TACT, a high-visibility enforcement program to reduce commercial vehicle related traffic dangers, has begun a two-week pilot campaign in Cabarrus County Monday.
This is one of three campaigns in the next few months.
"Nationally in 2007, 4,807 people died in large truck crashes, 5,000 died the previous year," said Darrell Ruban, with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator.
"Troopers will be ticketing any vehicle driving recklessly around big trucks. Trucks also will be ticketed if observed breaking the states traffic laws," Secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, Reuben Young, said.
Young went on to say that multi-agency enforcement would be patrolling Iredell, Durham and Cabarrus counties using helicopters, patrolling in unmarked cars, and riding in tractor-trailers looking for violators.
In Cabarrus, they will patrol along Interstate-85 around Kannapolis Parkway.
"The goal of TACT is to reduce collisions involving big trucks. We will make the highways safer," Young said.
Colonel Walter J. Wilson, commander of the Highway Patrol, explained there are several things motorists should remember when driving around big trucks:
• Stay out of the No-Zone, which are areas to the side and rear of large trucks. This is where the car "disappears" from the view of the truck driver and the driver can't see you.
• Large trucks need a much longer breaking distance than a car. Do not tailgate a large truck. If you follow too closely, your reaction time will be affected.
• Allow plenty of room. Large trucks are almost as wide as your lane.
• Don't speed, and always buckle up.
Troopers are committed to keeping the highways as safe as possible, Wilson said.
The public and media were invited to come out and take a look at the TACT kickoff at the Concord Mills Mall parking lot.
A helicopter, state troopers, and large tractor-trailers with the slogan "Don't Press Your Luck, Leave Room for Trucks" was on display.
The trucks were supplied to TACT by the North Carolina Trucking Association.
"Some people might not agree, but truck drivers are the most trained drivers on the road," said Rick Cates, N.C.T.A. spokesman.
Myra Beckers, project director of TACT, explained a bit more about TACT and the future.
"Hopefully, every state will start doing the TACT program. Washington, Kentucky, Georgia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, I believe, are the five states in the pilot program. We had a study done and this area is a high crash corridor," she said.
"This area is a major trouble area, has a lot of commercial motor vehicle traffic, and then you have your passenger cars getting right out into it," added Major Mark Nichols, North Carolina State Trooper.
State troopers will spend the next two weeks raising awareness. Speeders, tailgaters and aggressive drivers will be ticketed.
"So remember — leave room for trucks!"
• Contact reporter Robin L. Gardner: 704-789-9140
• Comment on this story online at www.independenttribune.com