TOPEKA, KAN. (May 6, 2024) -- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has created Our Roads, Our SafetyⓇ Week as an annual safety observance dedicated to educating all road users sharing the road safely with large vehicles. This year, the observance is May 5 – 11, 2024.
May 8th is Large Truck and Bus Driver Day and Topeka Metro employees will be wearing orange t-shirts to draw attention to the importance of obeying traffic laws. Topeka Metro buses share the roads with small and large vehicles, as well as motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. It is critical that others who share the roads and highways with buses understand that larger vehicles maneuver differently than other vehicles and recognize the impact that their size and weight have on how they share the road.
A percentage of accidents our bus operators experience occurs when other drivers speed, text while driving, run a stop sign, or execute an illegal turn. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, in 2021, nearly 6,000 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, an 18 percent increase from 2020.
“Public transit buses have a lot of mass. They weigh anywhere from 25,000 to 40,000 pounds and can cause serious bodily injury if an accident does occur,” said Bob Nugent, Topeka Metro General Manager. “I’d dare to say no one wants to be in a crash. It’s best to wait a few more seconds rather than get in a rush to go around the bus, cut in front of it, or try to squeeze by when the bus is turning.”
Increasing safety on our roads and highways can reduce injuries and deaths. We ALL play a part in road safety, so let’s share the road together. Follow us on our social media channels: Facebook, Instagram and X during Our Roads, Our SafetyⓇ Week, May 5 – 11th.
