ARLINGTON, VA - Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year-olds in America.  Armed with this fact and unmatched knowledge on safely sharing America's highways, a team of million-mile, accident-free truck drivers helped raise safety awareness during Operation Safe Driver, October 14-20, 2012.

Distracted driving, speeding and aggressive behaviors account for nearly 9 out of 10 fatal crashes.  Law enforcement agencies across North America are actively targeting these unsafe drivers during OSD, a program sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the American Trucking Associations and other highway safety organizations.

ATA's Share the Road professional truck drivers, elite professional truck drivers with exemplary safety records, are offering seasoned safety advice gained through their many years of driving experience.

• Pay Attention – Looking away from the road for just 2 seconds doubles the chances of an accident.

• Allow a Safety Cushion – Look 1/4 mile ahead to ensure yourself room to avoid potential hazards.

• Slow Down – The chances of a crash occurring nearly triple when driving faster than surrounding traffic.

• Large Trucks Have Blindspots - If you can't see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, the truck driver can't see you.

• Buckle Up – Safety belts are not a fashion statement – they save lives.

• Stay Off Your Cell Phoneand No Texting – Talking and texting lead to trouble on the road.

• Abide by Traffic Rules – Follow the traffic signs and signals.

• Do not cut in front of large trucks – Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.

• Be Careful Backing Up – One in four preventable collisions involve backing a vehicle.  Be sure to look before backing up; take a walk around your car prior to departure.

"It is important that all motorists remain focused on the task of driving and block out distractions when on the road," said Share the Road professional truck driver Kenny Lowry, a driver for Walmart Transportation with over 3.5 million accident-free miles. "This takes on even greater significance when a driver is inexperienced. Being alert and remembering the rules of the road will keep everyone safer on the highway."