Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, Thrive Regional Partnership plans a truck driving simulation and transportation safety event with regional partners.
Thrive Regional Partnership (Thrive) will host public outreach and a transportation safety event at the Tennessee and Georgia Welcome Centers along I-75 on May 20, 2024 from 10AM - 2PM. This Share the Road program will feature truck driving simulators and allow motorists to experience driving a tractor-trailer, testing out various road interactions with commercial vehicles in a safe and educational environment.
Thrive is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Georgia Department of Public Safety, and Tennessee Trucking Association to bring their “Teens & Trucks” programs to the Thrive Region. The Tennessee Department of Transportation and Georgia Department of Transportation are assisting with space to host these simulation trailers at Welcome Centers in East Ridge and Ringgold.
Drivers can immerse themselves in a lifelike driving environment, complete with multiple video monitors, a steering wheel, pedals, and an adjustable seat. In the event of a crash, the simulation experience even includes a vibrating seat. This hands-on simulator serves as a wake-up call for many drivers, illustrating the potential dangers they may encounter on the road if they fail to remain attentive.
“Most driver’s education programs provide very little instruction on sharing the road with semi trucks. We are excited to host this event with partners in Tennessee and Georgia to provide drivers with a unique experience that could go a long way in building awareness and ultimately cutting down on traffic fatalities.”
Participants will be exposed to several possible driving situations, specifically, distracted driving, stopping safely, reaction times, tractor trailers making wide right turns, the no zone areas of a tractor trailer, effects of cutting off a tractor trailer and the Move Over law.