ARLINGTON, Va., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Memorial Day serves as the start for the busy summer driving season and AAA estimates over 34.5 million motorists will travel this holiday weekend.  So as motorists prepare for the Memorial Day vacations, a team of professional truck drivers are helping to make our roads safer.

America's Road Team Captains, elite professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free miles, are offering advice on how to navigate through highway traffic and arrive at your destination safely. Tips include:

• Perform a pre-trip inspection – Check your tire pressure, wipers and fluids. Simple maintenance can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road before you leave your home.

• Plan your trip – Know where you are going and be prepared to exit. Indecisive driving is a major cause of traffic problems.

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

• 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.  A fully loaded tractor trailer takes a football field and both end zones to come to a complete stop when driving at highway speeds.

• Pay Attention – Distracted driving is a leading cause of crashes. Looking away for even two seconds doubles the chances of an accident.  Turn cell phones and PDAs off.

• Allow a Safety Cushion – Look 1/4 mile ahead for a safe path.  Leave yourself an out.

• Slow Down – Chances of a crash nearly triples when driving faster than surrounding traffic.

• Keep extra water in your vehicle – Just as you keep a winter driving kit in your vehicle, it is important to be prepared when driving during the summer months. Keep plenty of extra water, sunscreen and non-perishable snacks in your car in case you are stranded.

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

• Abide by Traffic Rules – Follow traffic signs and signals – paying special attention to work zones.

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

"Memorial Day Weekend is the first big vacation weekend of the summer," said America's Road Team Captain Jeff Wade (Southeastern Freight Lines), Charleston, SC. "There are additional motorists on the highway, with many in unfamiliar areas. For the sake of safety, drivers need to slow down, follow the rules of the road and be patient."

The America's Road Team would like to remind the motoring public that from driveway to highway, safety requires patience and dedication.

Editor's note: America's Road Team Captains are available for in-studio and phone interviews to share driving tips and promote highway safety during Memorial Day weekend.

The America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America, is a national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway.  Follow America's Road Team on Facebook or Twitter.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Good stuff. Trucks Bring It!

SOURCE American Trucking Associations