Beware of those "Blind Spots"!

The American Trucking Association brought their "Share the Road" program to EHS on Thursday and Friday, October 14 and 15. The program was arranged by Kevin Robinson, the safety education teacher. The overall goal of the program is to educate students so that they become safer drivers. The specific goal for the day was to make the students aware of the blind spots around a tractor-trailer.

The activities of the presentation included allowing the students to climb up and into a truck cab. The truck was parked in the school parking lot and along side of it were two cars, positioned as if they were passing the truck. Students got to see first hand what the truck driver sees - or in this case, doesn't see. The students soon realized that at certain areas around the truck, their car would not be visible. The lesson: steer clear of front and rear blind spots!

According to Mr. Robinson, "Blind spots are part of the overall danger areas in front (trucks need 2x the stopping distance so a car who’s just passed a truck who pulls back into the right lane too soon is also in a dangerous 'No-Zone'), on both sides, and behind the truck. Drivers need to realize these dangerous 'No-Zones' and try to stay clear/don’t linger in these areas."

The truck was sponsored by ATA and Con-way Freight. The driver was Bob Dolan who is a national driving champion. He worked with the students as they boarded the truck and pointed out to them the visual limitations that the drivers face.

See ATA's website for much more information on the "Share the Road" program and to get safe driving tips.