The American Trucking Associations' national Share the Road highway safety tour stopped over at the Las Vegas Auto Show Thursday, to demonstrate to drivers how to share the road safely with large trucks.

The event, which will run through Sunday, will give attendees and reporters the chance to get up close and personal with a group of professional truck drivers who have a million accident-free miles under their belts. Thursday's event featured truck drivers Manny Franco of UPS Freight, Mark Hassemer of YRC , Ron Hawkins of K-Limited Carriers, and Clarence Jenkins, Jr. of UPS Freight.

"It is an honor to be here in Las Vegas educating motorists on how to safely drive around tractor-trailers," said Hassemer. "Nevada serves as a major freight corridor and sees a great deal of traffic. Hopefully drivers can take the tips we give today and use them to drive a little more aware and arrive home safely."

According to the ATA, Nevada ranks among the top ten states with the highest crash rates. In addition, Nevada fatal collisions increased 2.1 percent with 387 traffic deaths in 2006.

"Most automobile drivers were never taught what they can do to avoid an accident with a tractor-trailer," said Hawkins. "By being aware of the blind spots around trucks, all drivers can more easily avoid crashes. This information, and other safety advice, will help everyone to share the roads safely."

The Share the Road demonstration was designed to teach specific skills to motorists in order to drive safely around other automobiles and around trucks and large commercial vehicles on the highways, and to arrive safely at their destinations.

The Share the Road truck was also displayed earlier in the week at the ATA's annual Management Conference and Exhibition, where Volvo announced it would continue its sponsorship of the program.

More info: www.atastr.org