The Tennessee Trucking Association will promote safety during its annual "Holiday Safety Break" this Friday.


During the event, which will be supported by Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions, members of Tennessee's Road Team and the TTA will be at rest areas across the state providing free refreshments for travelers and encouraging safety as they travel this holiday weekend. They will promote buckling up, slowing down, keeping a safe following distance and not drinking and driving.

TTA will have a tractor-trailer on display at each location to illustrate the four blind spots around large vehicles where crashes are more likely to occur. Motorists will be able to climb inside the truck and see the blindspots for themselves.

"Many drivers don't realize the limitations of larger vehicles," said Dave Huneryager, president and CEO of TTA. "By helping motorists understand how to safely share the road with large commercial trucks, we hope to make this weekend safer for everyone."

The event starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. at the following rest areas:

* Rest area I-40 westbound near Dickson

* Rest area 1-40 eastbound near Jackson

* Rest area 1-40 eastbound near Dandridge

* Rest area I-24 eastbound near Nickajack Dam