Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Trucking Association unveiled its "Share the Road" initiative this September, a statewide safety push that has already reached roughly 150,000 high‑school students with lessons on how to coexist with trucks and buses.

The program arrives at a time when large‑vehicle collisions remain a leading cause of fatalities on Florida highways. By focusing on blind‑spot awareness, proper following distances, and the hazards of distracted driving, the association hopes to cut the number of rear‑end crashes that often involve commercial rigs. For owner‑operators and fleet managers, fewer accidents translate to lower insurance premiums and smoother compliance with FMCSA regulations.

Alix Miller, president and CEO of the Florida Trucking Association, said the campaign underscores the industry’s responsibility to educate every road user. "Our 'Share the Road' effort reflects a commitment to safety and the collaborative spirit needed to protect drivers, passengers, and families," Miller said in a press briefing. The Florida Road Team, the association’s outreach arm, is spearheading the effort through driver‑education classes, press conferences, and touch‑a‑truck events. Team member Anthony Tirone added that the campaign now includes a "NoText + Drive" message and a reminder of the state's move‑over law, both aimed at reducing distracted‑driving incidents that endanger OTR truck drivers and local commuters alike.

What This Means for Drivers

CDL‑A drivers will see tighter scrutiny on maintaining safe following distances, especially in congested urban corridors where trucks share lanes with passenger cars. Owner‑operators are urged to reinforce blind‑spot training for any hired drivers, as the campaign’s materials highlight the 20‑foot blind zones on either side of a tractor‑trailer. Fleet managers can download the new safety flyers from the Florida Road Team and distribute them at dispatch meetings, ensuring compliance with both state move‑over statutes and FMCSA standards. The added "NoText + Drive" warning aligns with recent state legislation that penalizes handheld device use behind the wheel, a rule that OTR truck driver companies are already enforcing through driver‑monitoring technology.

Industry Reaction

Carrier groups across the Southeast have praised the initiative, noting that proactive education reduces the likelihood of costly claims. A spokesperson for a major Florida‑based trucking firm told US Trucker that the campaign’s focus on real‑world driving scenarios helps new hires grasp the nuances of sharing the road before they log their first miles. Meanwhile, trucking schools reported a surge in enrollment for safety‑focused modules, a trend that could boost the pipeline of qualified CDL‑A drivers at a time when truck driver jobs are in high demand.

Key Points

• Florida Trucking Association’s "Share the Road" campaign has educated roughly 150,000 students statewide.
• Initiative adds "NoText + Drive" messaging and reinforces Florida’s move‑over law.
• Alix Miller and Anthony Tirone lead the outreach through the Florida Road Team.
• Campaign targets blind‑spot awareness, safe following distances, and distracted‑driving prevention for all motorists.

Looking for a better trucking job? US Trucker's free job-matching service connects CDL‑A drivers, OTR truck driver, regional drivers, and owner‑operators with 500+ top US carriers. Leave your details in the form on this page and a recruiter will call you within one business day. Trucking companies are hiring now.

Photo by Mark Stebnicki on Pexels