Safety involving big trucks and passenger vehicles is the focus of this year's observance of Operation Safe Driver Week, being observed through Saturday.
During the observance, law enforcement officers will be watching for unsafe behavior and will stop any drivers for speeding, failure to obey a traffic device, driving under the influence and other violations.
The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety reminds motorists that crashes involving tractor trailers "don't happen very often, but when they do, the disproportionate size of a truck versus a car means those crashes can often involve serious injuries or worse."
Last year, 120 people were killed and 3,732 were injured in Missouri traffic crashes involving big trucks.
Big trucks, the coalition advises, require big room to maneuver.
When sharing the road with big trucks, the coalition offers these tips.
Don't cut off large trucks or buses when passing. Make sure you can see the top of the truck or bus in your rear view mirror before moving back into your original lane.
Stay out of the "No Zone." Big trucks have large blind spots on either side and up to 200 feet behind a vehicle. Pass only on the left side.
Watch your following distance. Keep a safety cushion around trucks. Can you see the truck's side mirrors? If not, the driver cannot see you.
Additional information about the Operation Safe Driver Campaign is available at savemolives.com/campaigns/details/operation-safe-driver-awareness-week.
"We don't want you to take any chances when it comes to safely moving around big trucks," said Bill Whitfield, the coalition's executive committee chairman. "Please pay attention."
Paying attention and avoiding distractions is good advice for motorists, not just around big trucks and not just one week a year.