Michigan Center for Truck Safety Fact Sheet

Public Service Announcements

FactSheet/History
Programs
Safety tips
Car/Truck Safety

The goal of the Michigan Truck Safety Commission (MTSC) is to increase safety on Michigan’s highways through greater cooperation between truck and automobile drivers.:  MTSC encourages this cooperation by providing a variety of educational services to Michigan’s motor carriers via a yearly grant to the Michigan Center for Truck Safety.  

The Center conducts an annualpublic information and education program which provides tips for auto drivers on how to safely “share the road” with trucks -- in addition to services and programs that give truck drivers access to ongoing safety training (see “Michigan Center for Truck Safety -- Programs” insert)

The Commission was created in 1988 by Michigan Public Act 348.The Commission is a body of 11 people representing the trucking industry, labor, governmental agencies, law enforcement, educators and Michigan citizens.  

The MTSC is a joint effort between state government and the trucking industry, the only organization of its kind in the country. Michigan is the only state to have a commission dedicated to truck safety issues and to be funded at the state level.

The Commission is coordinated through the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning and funded by a special assessment attached to the registration plate of commercial trucks weighing more than 8,000 pounds, or weighing 8,000 pounds or less towing a trailer.  This fee is a direct cost to the Michigan trucking industry and demonstrates its concern for safer roads. No tax dollars are used to fund the activities of the MTSC.

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Michigan Center for Decision Driving and Upper Peninsula Decision Driving Course: These unique classes, held in Marshall and Escanaba, offer a comprehensive, one-day hands-on course for commercial drivers in proper decision making and vehicle control.   The skid pad allows truckers to experience and practice real-life skidding and panic braking situations. The decision driving programs provide valuable experience for new and veteran truckers alike.

High School Driver Education: Through the combined efforts of MCTS and the Michigan Department of Education, Michigan’s high school driver education program includes a truck safety segment.  Both a music video and an accompanying handbook—called Semi-Conscious: Driving in the Real Word—have been distributed to all of Michigan’s high school and commercial driver education classes. 

Driver Performance Measurement: This is a scientific assessment of driving habits in real-world situations.  When drivers participate in this program, their positive habits and training needs are assessed, one-on-one, by trained, impartial observers on a pre-designed course.  Each driver’s performance is assessed according to specific criteria.  These findings are reviewed with the driver and sent to the company officials who requested the service.

Public information and education program: The MCTS encourages highway safety  through TV and radio commercials and PSAs, educating the public on key safety tips.  In addition, the MCTS supports a comprehensive public relations effort.

Mobile Classroom: This classroom on wheels is available to Michigan trucking companies for on-site safety training.  A tractor-trailer, converted into a can accommodate 23 drivers.  An instructor covers comprehensive, up-to-date safety training issues.

Management Specialist: This is a service provided to managers of Michigan trucking companies to assist them in complying with state and federal rules and regulations. 

Truck Safety Hotline: A toll-free number, (800) 682-4682, is staffed by MCTS staff to answer safety and compliance questions.

Internet Site: People can learn more about the MTSC by browsing its Internet site at www.truckingsafety.org.

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Drivers should be aware of several simple tips on how to share the road with big rigs:

• Merge and go with the flow: When merging onto a highway, drivers should pick an opening, adjust their speed to make that spot and then go with the flow, blending safely into traffic.
• Big rigs have large blind spots: Drivers are asked to avoid staying in a trucker’s blind spots for long periods of time because the truck driver will not be able to see the car. Blind spots generally are directly in front and back of the truck, along the trailer and cab of the passenger side and on the driver’s side outside the rearview mirror. Remember, if you can’t see the truck driver’s mirrors, the driver probably can’t see you.
• Trucks make wide turns: Trucks generally swing out a bit because they need more space to avoid a curb or avoid oncoming traffic. Cars are encouraged to hang back and wait for the truck to complete its turn or risk getting caught in a squeeze.
• 4-second distancing: For the safety of all drivers on the road, it’s safest to keep at least a four-second following distance behind ANY vehicle. Just pick a landmark on or near the road. When the vehicle in front of you reaches that spot, count how many seconds it takes for you to reach the same landmark. This works for virtually any speed.

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• More than 70 percent of all fatal car-truck crashes, nationally, are caused at least in part by the driver of the car. Most of these accidents can be prevented if car drivers learn better ways to be patient and “share the road”.
• There are more cars and trucks on the road today than ever before. With the increased vehicle traffic – as well as the increased traffic due to the summer travel season – drivers should be more aware than ever of how to share the road.
• There are a record number of construction projects going on throughout metro Detroit in 2000. Because of this construction, frustrations may run high but safety should not be compromised.
• Metro Detroit is an important trucking region because it is a crucial, economic import/export gateway to and from Canada for many trucking companies.

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