This initiative, “Sharing the Road,” aims to teach teen drivers how to safely interact with large trucks on the road. Photo by fkevin via Pixabay

BUTTE COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Butte County Public Health (BCPH) is proud to announce a new partnership between its Safe Routes to School program and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) to provide crucial education to young drivers at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico and Las Plumas High School in Oroville.

This initiative, “Sharing the Road,” aims to teach teen drivers how to safely interact with large trucks on the road. The Sharing the Road program features an engaging in-class presentation paired with a hands-on truck experience using Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s specially designed semi-truck. Students will have the opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat of the truck, allowing them to fully comprehend the extent of blind spots and gain a firsthand perspective of what truck drivers can and cannot see while operating their vehicles.

This interactive experience is designed to reinforce safe driving behaviors and reduce risky maneuvers near large trucks. According to Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s team of researchers, approximately 139 crashes occur each day in the United States involving a large truck and a teen driver. Furthermore, 78% of crashes and near-crashes between passenger vehicles and large trucks are initiated by the passenger vehicle driver. These statistics highlight the critical need for educational programs such as Sharing the Road to equip young drivers with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent collisions and promote safer roadways for all.

Butte County Public Health and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute recommend several safety tips for motorists of all ages, with a focus on safe driving around large trucks. Always wear your seatbelt, regardless of whether you're in the front or back seat. Be aware of truck blind spots; if you can’t see the driver in their mirrors, they can’t see you.

In addition, never cut off trucks, as they take longer to stop and require more space. Avoid squeezing in on a truck’s right side during wide turns. Maintain a safe distance behind trucks to ensure better visibility. When passing, do so safely by avoiding lingering beside trucks, not passing on the right, and merging only when you can see the truck’s front in your mirror.

For more information about these programs, visit Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s Sharing the Road at cmvroadsharing.org/about.html or Butte County Public Health’s Safe Routes to School at buttecounty.net/1217/Safe-Routes-to-School.