DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) -- Local commercial vehicle drivers want your help to keep the roadways safe as winter weather continues throughout the Miami Valley.
Since 2019, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reports nearly 100,000 accidents involving semi trucks and other commercial vehicles on major roads.
Commercial truck drivers say cold weather means more incidents on the roads. Instructors at Ohio's largest CDL driving school say there are several ways to prevent crashes when sharing the road with larger vehicles like semis.
"Any time the weather changes, truck drivers are more at risk in accidents to car drivers," said Will Moore, driving instructor.
Instructors at Truck Trailer Pro Commercial Driver's License School on Valley Street have over 100 years of combined experience on the roads.
They say extremely heavy trucks are difficult to stop quickly, especially in icy conditions. The recommend if you see a semi truck that is stopped or slowing down with flashing lights, you should give that vehicle some distance and change lanes.
"You never know when they're going to step out into that lane to change a tire or to go around their truck. So always if you see a semi with it's park flashers going, move over one lane," said Moore.
From January of 2019 until early December of this year, OSP reports crashes involving commercial vehicles as one of the leading variables for crashes in Greene, Clark and Montgomery counties.
Driving experts say there is a growing national trend of drivers receiving CDL licenses without the proper training, which can contribute to more crashes on the roads.
"So that's the source of the problem, as we see. And every single school needs to take it very serious," said Brian Ady, president of Truck Trailer Pro.
With more than 40 years of commercial driving experience, training instructor Larry Goble says respect for other drivers is crucial for everyone's safety.
"Just be respectful. That's the biggest thing. Don't be aggressive," said Goble.
Commercial truck drivers ask that you avoid driving aggressively on major roads and highways and give them plenty of space when they are slowing down.