Colorado introduces initiative to reduce truck accidents
Colorado introduces initiative to reduce truck accidents
Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks campaign
As of August, 2011 the Colorado State Patrol officially kicked-off the Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks campaign which aims to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries resulting from truck accidents. Using the slogan “Give Trucks More Room”, the initiative implores drivers to drive more carefully around trucks, refraining from driving in the truck’s blind spot, tailgating, and otherwise driving aggressively around these monsters of the road. These calls for safer driving around trucks are being circulated via public awareness messages on the radio and other media. In 2010 there were and estimated 968 crashes between cars and trucks which accounted for 138 injuries and 50 fatalities. These truck accident numbers are clearly plenty of reason for the campaign.
According to the Chief
Colonel James Wolfingbarger, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol, points out that while everyone benefits from the interstate commerce that trucks on U.S. highways facilitate, what is greatly detrimental is when aggressive driving takes place around these trucks, leading to truck accidents which can cause horrific damages. He notes that actions such as speeding, following too closely, and unsafe lane violations are the top three causes of car/truck accidents. Also according to Colonel Wolfingbarger, drivers tend not to consider that the enormous weight and size of these trucks mean that they take far longer to stop than the average vehicle. They also require extra space to change lanes, and have a far bigger blind spots than other vehicles.
About the TACT Campaign
As most Colorado residents are well aware by now, the Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks campaign has been featured on billboards, gas pumps, buses, radio spots, and plenty of other media in the Denver metro area. In an effort to bring truck accident totals down, the 2010 version of the campaign resulted in over 2,200 citations for aggressive driving around trucks. The Colorado State police has been focused on both I-25 and I-70 for aggressive driving around trucks from August through October in 2011.
If you are involved in a truck accident, we are here to help
At McCormick and Murphy P.C, we urge drivers to take the advise put forth in this campaign by slowing down and being more aware of the dangers involved with aggressive driving around trucks. If you or someone you know has suffered injuries as a result of an accident involving a truck, please call your Colorado truck accident lawyers at McCormick and Murphy P.C., and let us help you get your life back on track.
