Pennsylvania State Police are on a mission to increase awareness and promote safe driving habits around commercial vehicles. In a recent news conference held on July 11, they announced their “Together, We Make I-81 Safer” campaign.
This three-month initiative, running from June to August, aims to discourage unsafe driving behaviors that lead to accidents involving commercial motor vehicles. To ensure the success of the campaign, there will be extra patrols and proactive traffic enforcement along the entire stretch of the I-81 corridor.
The results from the campaign’s early enforcement efforts in June are impressive. Over a five-day period, the Pennsylvania State Police made a significant impact with 1,154 traffic stops on I-81. These stops resulted in a whopping 1,322 traffic citations and 1,119 written warnings. Additionally, 299 commercial vehicles were inspected to ensure safety compliance.
“Keeping the roads of the commonwealth safe is the core mission of the Pennsylvania State Police. And it’s not something we do alone,” Major Robert Krol, director of the PSP bureau of patrol, said during the event. “Together, we all work towards promoting safe vehicle operation by all operators of vehicles on the highways – commercial, noncommercial, motorcycles – it doesn’t matter what the vehicle is, we look for safety by all operators because they’re all interacting together and need to share the road appropriately.”
Statistics reveal that in the past five years alone, there have been a staggering 42 fatal crashes on I-81 in Pennsylvania. Even more alarming, there were a total of 2,025 “reportable crashes,” resulting in 779 injuries. According to Krol, many of these tragic incidents could have been avoided if drivers had simply exercised responsible driving practices.
“These vehicles often weigh up to 80,000 pounds or more, and their stopping distance is up to three times what the usual passenger vehicle is that we’re all used to driving on the highway,” Krol said. “Giving them the appropriate safe clearance when you pass is imperative to avoid potentially being struck if something comes to a stop ahead of you as you’re completing that passing maneuver.”
Bob Dolan, a seasoned road team driver for the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association, was present at the event. With 43 years of experience, he provided valuable insights on driving alongside commercial vehicles from a trucker’s perspective.
His top suggestions for motorists who want to safely share the road include:
- Avoid the “no zone” blind spots
- Allow room for proper stopping distance
- Be conscience of turning distances
- Be cautious around commercial vehicles in windy conditions
“By working together, practicing these safe driving tips and driving a vehicle without distractions, we can focus on the job at hand,” Dolan said. “And by doing it safely we can all return home safely every day.”
Pennsylvania has been granted $16.5 million this year to bolster its efforts in improving the safety of commercial motor vehicles. This funding comes from the prestigious Motor Carriers Safety Assistance Program, a federal grant program designed to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes and hazardous materials incidents involving commercial motor vehicles.
The program has allocated a substantial budget of $471 million for the year 2023, ensuring that states like Pennsylvania have the resources they need to enhance road safety. With this generous funding, Pennsylvania can implement effective initiatives and strategies to mitigate risks and protect motorists from potential accidents.
The Motor Carriers Safety Assistance Program recognizes the importance of preventing incidents and promoting the safe passage of commercial vehicles through comprehensive programs. By investing in these initiatives, Pennsylvania is committed to making its roads safer for everyone.
“This is a big deal. The fact that we have brought together our partners and folks from around the state in order to focus in on highway safety, and in particular the I-81 corridor which is such an important corridor for the movement of freight around the country,” said FMCSA Deputy Administrator Earl Adams Jr. “But it is also, unfortunately, a high-crash corridor. This initiative and effort is all designed to bring attention and awareness.”
According to Adams, over the last five years, there have been more than 5,000 crashes along the stretch of I-81 that runs through six states: New York, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Of these states, Pennsylvania has the second highest number of crashes on this particular interstate.
Source: Land Line
