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Thanksgiving Means More Cars - And Trucks - AAA Says

17 November 1999

Thanksgiving Means More Cars - And Trucks - AAA Says

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 -- Highways will be even more crowded
this Thanksgiving holiday than last year, and not just with cars.  Trucks
won't be on holiday, so AAA advises motorists to take special care driving
around big trucks.
    A projected 33.8 million Americans plan to travel 100 miles or more during
the holiday weekend, up from last year's 33.6 million travelers. Nearly 28
million of them will be driving.
    And big-truck traffic is heavy during the holiday season as more goods are
delivered by truck to stores and homes.  Because, according to NHTSA, one out
of eight traffic fatalities in 1998 resulted from a collision involving a
large truck, AAA offers the following tips for driving around the big rigs:
    * Don't tailgate -- trucks can't see you directly behind them.
    * Watch out for other truck blind spots -- not only behind them but also
      alongside, especially near the rear wheels.
    * When passing give yourself plenty of time -- it can take 25 or 30
      seconds to pass a long tractor trailer.

    An estimated 27.8 million (82 percent) of Thanksgiving travelers will be
going by personal vehicle -- auto, truck or RV; a slight increase over 1998.
    The greatest number of travelers plan to visit cities, 37 percent, or
towns and rural areas, 30 percent.  Other travel plans include oceans or
beaches, 15 percent; mountains, 7 percent; theme or amusement parks, 4
percent; lakes, 2 percent; and state or national parks, 2 percent.
    Most travelers expect to stay with a friend or relative, 58 percent, or in
a hotel or motel, 32 percent. Other lodging plans include a cabin or condo, 4
percent; camping, boat or ship, and bed and breakfast, 1 percent each.
    AAA estimates that the highest volume of motorists will come from the
Southeastern states with 7 million, followed by the West with 5.7 million.
Other auto travel is expected to come from the Great Lakes, 5.2 million;
Midwest, 5.1 million; and Northeast, 4.8 million.
    To help all these travelers arrive at their destinations safely, here are
some more tips on driving near big trucks:
    * Give trucks a safety cushion when you move in front of them.  Wait until
      you see both headlights (or front grill) in your mirror.
    * Remember it takes a long time for a truck to stop-almost twice as long
      as cars at highway speed.
    * Trucks make wide turns. When turning, their mirrors are useless.
    * Trucks create wind gusts.  When passing keep both hands on the steering
      wheel.
    * Don't speed up when a truck is passing.  Racing with a truck is not
      worth the risk.