ARLINGTON, VA --- Despite high fuel costs, over 34 million drivers are expected to hit the road this Labor Day weekend. America's Road Team Captains, elite professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free miles, are offering advice on how to safely navigate through highway traffic and congestion this weekend.

America's Road Team Captains agree that the first step toward a safe trip begins in the driveway.

• Prepare your vehicle for long-distance travel. Check your wipers and fluids. Have your radiator and cooling system serviced. Simple maintenance can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road.

• Plan ahead. Before you get on a highway, know your exit by name and number, and watch the signs as you near the off-ramp. Drivers making unexpected lane changes to exit often cause accidents.

• Do not cut in front of large trucks. Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.

• Use a map or GPS. Surprisingly, few motorists plan their routes, even when driving through unfamiliar areas. Knowing the road is essential for safe driving --- it allows you to anticipate lane changes and avoid a panicked search for directions.

• Leave early and allow for delays in your travel schedule. Know your limitations. Don't drive when tired, upset or physically ill. Remember, nothing beats planning, preparation and patience.

• Be aware of trucks' blind spots. If you can't see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can't see you.

"Around Labor Day Weekend, traffic increases as families head out for one last summer getaway before the kids go back to school," said America's Road Team Captain Tony Spero. "Additional motorists make safe driving habits all the more important. Nothing beats planning, preparation and patience."

The America's Road Team would like to remind the motoring public that from driveway to highway, safety requires patience and dedication.

The America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America, is a national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway.