THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, August 27, 1995                TAG: 9508260021
SECTION: COMMENTARY               PAGE: J4   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   46 lines

DON'T TANGLE WITH TRUCKS

Traditionally, Labor Day weekend is one of the deadliest travel periods of the year. Nationwide, an estimated 512 people may lose their lives and 24,600 may suffer disabling injuries in traffic crashes.

As state director of the Department of Transportation and a frequent driver on Interstate 95, I know that one of the least-known but most-dangerous hazards motorists will encounter this holiday are No-Zones.

No-Zone is a highway-safety term that describes blind-spot areas on the side, front and rear of large trucks where passenger vehicles ``disappear'' from view and where crashes are most likely to occur. In fatal crashes between cars and trucks, eight out of 10 times it is the driver of the car who dies.

Recently released figures indicate that last year in Virginia, 99 people died in car-truck crashes. The majority of these crashes occurred in the No-Zone and could have been prevented. Contrary to popular belief, most car-truck accidents occur in good weather, on clear, straight roads. Alcohol is usually not a significant factor.

If your readers will take just a moment to familiarize themselves with the No-Zone and remember these simple steps, they can avoid the dangers of the No-Zone and a potentially lethal crash.

Avoid tailgating. When you follow a large truck too closely, you're driving in the No-Zone and the truck can't see you. Be sure you stay several car-lengths behind and look for the truck's side-view mirrors to avoid the rear No-Zone.

Avoid side blind spots. When you can't see the truck driver's face in his side mirrors, you're driving in the No-Zone. Maintain a consistent speed and safely move past the truck.

Avoid cutting in too closely after you pass large trucks. Trucks take twice as long as cars to stop. The rule of thumb: If you can't see the whole cab in your rear-view mirror, you are in the No-Zone and shouldn't cut in front of the truck.

ROBERT J. NEAL, state director

Office of Motor Carriers

U.S. Department of Transportation

Richmond, Aug. 23, 1995 by CNB