The Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association (GNEMA) is proud to announce its participation in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Our Roads, Our Safety partnership, a national initiative dedicated to improving roadway safety through education, awareness, and collaboration.
The partnership brings together public and private sector organizations committed to helping motorists better understand how to safely share the road with large trucks and buses.
As an association representing motorcoach operators and industry partners throughout the Northeast, GNEMA recognizes the importance of promoting safe driving practices, increasing public awareness, and supporting initiatives that protect passengers, professional drivers, and everyone traveling on our nation's highways.
“Safety has always been a cornerstone of our association and the motorcoach industry,” said Pattie Cowley, GNEMA Executive Director. “Our members transport masses of passengers safely each year, and we recognize that roadway safety is a shared responsibility. By joining FMCSA's Our Roads, Our Safety partnership, we have another opportunity to educate the public, support our professional drivers, and reinforce the importance of safely sharing the road with motorcoaches and other commercial vehicles.”
Large commercial vehicles have unique operating characteristics, including significant blind spots, longer stopping distances, and limited maneuverability. Understanding these differences is essential to reducing crashes and creating safer roadways for everyone.
Through this partnership, GNEMA will have access to FMCSA's educational resources, outreach materials, and safety messaging to share with its members, industry stakeholders, and the traveling public.
The initiative complements GNEMA's ongoing commitment to safety through industry education, professional development, and programs such as its annual Driver Safety Competition, which recognizes the skills, professionalism, and dedication of motorcoach drivers.
Michelle Petelicki, GNEMA Chair and member stated “our professional motorcoach drivers are responsible for the safety of their passengers every day, but roadway safety doesn't rest on their shoulders alone. Motorists need to understand the challenges of operating a large commercial vehicle, from blind spots to stopping distances. This partnership gives us another opportunity to build that awareness and make the roads safer for everyone.”
GNEMA looks forward to working alongside FMCSA and fellow safety partners to promote responsible driving behaviors and advance the shared goal of safer roads for all.
About the Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association
The Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association (GNEMA) is a regional trade association representing motorcoach operators and industry suppliers throughout the Northeast. GNEMA advocates for the interests of the motorcoach industry while promoting safety, education, professionalism, and collaboration among its members.
About Our Roads, Our Safety
Our Roads, Our Safety is a public education initiative of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The program provides educational resources and safety messages designed to help all road users better understand how to share the road safely with large trucks and buses.
For more information about the initiative, visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads.
Media Contact:
Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association
Pattie Cowley, Executive Director
www.gnema.org