MoDOT: Fatal commercial crashes drop 19 percent

The latest figures from the Missouri Department of Transportation suggest that drivers of commercial and passenger vehicles are doing a good job of sharing the state's roadways. Commercial vehicle crashes resulting in death dropped 19 percent in Missouri from 2006-08, the department announced earlier this month, leading into Operation Safe Driver Week, which was observed Oct. 18-24.

One of the best actions any driver can take is to buckle up, according to a MoDOT news release. A 2008 survey showed that 73 percent of commercial motor-vehicle drivers in Missouri wear their safety belts, and the statewide belt usage rate is 77 percent.

MoDOT also offers these tips for driving near commercial trucks or buses:

• Focus on driving. Texting, phone calls, eating and other distractions take your attention away from safe vehicle operation.

• After passing a truck, wait until both of its headlights can be seen via rearview mirror before pulling into the same lane.

• Keep a safety cushion around trucks. If other drivers can't see trucks' side mirrors, the truck drivers cannot see the other vehicles. Leave at least a 20-car-length gap when driving behind a truck.

• Never linger alongside a truck and risk "disappearing" from the driver's vision due to blind spots.

• Obey speed limits and traffic signs.

On the flip side, MoDOT also has safety suggestions for truck and bus drivers. In addition to focusing on the road and obeying laws, those tips include pre-inspecting vehicle conditions before travel, making sure loads are secure and making sure mirrors are clean and properly adjusted for optimal vision.