Local high school students and community members gathered in Harrison, Ark., recently to make a pledge to safe driving.

The three-day Community Safe Driving Rally, held Oct. 16-18 and hosted by FedEx Freight and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, taught drivers of all ages the importance of sharing the road safely with tractor-trailers and avoiding the dangers of distracted driving.

Representatives from FedEx, CVSA, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Organization for Youth Safety and the Arkansas Highway Police shared remarks emphasizing the importance of safe driving habits during a special presentation on Tuesday, Oct. 16. After the presentation, drivers were encouraged to sign a pledge that they would not text while driving.

"The safety of our roads is something that directly impacts each and every one of us," said Rodney Myers, managing director of Safety for FedEx Freight. "As a transportation company, anything that we can do to improve the safety of our community and our nation's roads is worth investing in."

Captains from America's Road Team, an elite team of professional drivers dedicated to safety, led attendees through several educational demonstrations. Participants were able to climb behind the wheel of a tractor to view the truck's blind spots. These are areas to the sides and rear of a tractor-trailer where a driver may not be able to see a passenger vehicle.

The captains also demonstrated tractor-trailer stopping distance, the effects of a roll-over crash and proper seat belt use, in addition to leading distracted driving and impaired driving simulators. Local fire and rescue departments were on hand to demonstrate their life-saving tools and skills.

"FedEx Freight is proud to support this cause," said Myers. "If it helps prevent one person from being injured in an accident, then it is worth it."