Fresno Leader

Fresno County issued the following announcement on Dec 31.

Cal Recycle’s Structural Debris and Hazard Tree removal contractor has commenced work in the Creek Fire burn area. Residents of Fresno County may notice an increase of truck traffic along State Routes 168, 180,145, 99 and American Avenue. The increase in trucks coming from the Shaver Lake area is expected to continue through April, 2021. 

Safety of the motoring public is important. Fresno County would like to remind drivers of the ten rules of the road from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

1. Stay out of the No Zones: Large trucks have significant blind spots on all four sides. If you cannot see the driver in the vehicle side mirror, assume the driver cannot see you.  Do not drive in the blind spot of a large truck – slow down or move ahead to stay visible.
2.  Pass Safely: Make sure you can see the driver in the vehicle mirror. Signal clearly then move into the left lane and accelerate so that you can get past the truck or bus safely and pass promptly. Don’t linger in the blind spot. Make sure the truck or bus is visible in your rearview mirror before you pull in front; give it extra space. Do not pass trucks and buses on downgrades where they tend to pick up speed, and never pass from the right lane. When a bus or truck is passing, stay to the right and slow down; give them extra space to change lanes or merge in from ramps.
3. Don’t Cut it Close: Cutting in too close in front of another vehicle is always dangerous, but it’s especially dangerous to “cut off” a commercial bus or truck. If you move in quickly from either side, you’re likely to be in a blind spot so the driver may not see you in time. Even if you’re visible, the vehicle may not be able to slow quickly enough to avoid a crash because of the amount of time it takes to stop.
4. Stay Back: Tailgating a truck or bus puts you in a blind spot. Because trucks are high off the ground, your vehicle could slide (or get pushed) under a truck in a crash. Stay back when stopped, particularly on an upgrade, where a bus or truck might roll back.
5. Anticipate Wide Turns: Buses and trucks need extra turning room, they swing wide or may start a turn from a middle lane. Never try to squeeze by or get between a turning vehicle and the curb. Never “block the box” at an intersection or stop in front of the line, so buses and trucks can turn safely.
6. Be Patient: Trucks and buses need time to accelerate and sometimes use technology like speed limiters. Honking, driving aggressively, or weaving through traffic can cause dangerous distractions and crashes.
7. Buckle Up: Using a safety belt is one of the easiest and most important things you can do to save lives. Make sure kids always ride in the back seat, buckled up or in car seats.
8. Stay Focused: If you need to attend to anything except driving, get off the road and stop. Driving distracted is as dangerous as driving impaired.
9. Don’t Drive Fatigued: Take regular breaks, get another driver to relieve you, or get off the road and find a safe place to rest.
10. Never Drive Under the Influence: Alcohol and other drugs impair judgment and reaction time. There is no safe limit for drinking before driving. Prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may cause dizziness, sleepiness and/or slow reaction time. If your medication carries a warning, have someone else drive or use other transportation.

Original source can be found here.