For certain periods throughout the past year the Georgia Highway Patrol has engaged in "enforcement waves" for the purpose of decreasing the number of trucking accidents in Georgia. Approximately 15% of Georgia fatalities involve a semi truck and car accident. The officers target I-75, I-20, I-85 or I-95 looking for drivers of cars and trucks that are tailgating, switching quickly between lanes, speeding, driving in the emergency lane or failing to signal lane changes.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety implements the program called Georgia-Targeting Aggressive Cars and Trucks or G-TACT. Funding for the program is provided by The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. G-TACT uses driver education and enforcement to decrease the number of car-truck accidents by teaching and reminding drivers of risky behaviors like those listed above. Notably, in trucking accidents involving cars, 90% of the people killed are passengers in the car.
This summer the Georgia Highway Patrol concentrated on the I-20 corridor from Atlanta through Douglas and Carroll Counties. During a one week period, 295 citations were issued for driver violations such as tailgating and speeding. This particular area was selected because over 611 trucking accidents occurred there between 2005 and 2007 resulting in 22 fatalities. 
If you have driven in this area, you are aware of the heavy commercial traffic travelling between Birmingham and Atlanta on I-20
Because accidents between cars and 18 wheeler trucks are so deadly, it is critical that automobile drivers give big trucks the space they need to maneuver. If you tailgate a truck, it is likely that he cannot see you and is unaware of your presence. Whenever you are on an interstate, be mindful to leave more space for the trucks - it will make the highways safer for all of us.
