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The No-Zone Campaign Truck & Bus Decal Program is one highly visible example of successful public/private partnerships. Dozens of approved carriers have volunteered to place vivid No-Zone graphics on the sides and rear of their truck trailers and buses. The decals are clear pictures of blind spots, or "No-Zones," along with campaign slogans and logos of participating partners. These graphically illustrated vehicles bring the No-Zone safety messages directly to motorists on the road, where they drive. Active involvement in this safety campaign provides members of the trucking and bus industries an opportunity to demonstrate a firm commitment to driver education.
Many carriers not only use these trailers in their everyday freight business, but also display them at public events around the country and take them to schools as part of a planned and organized driver education program.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) created this program and because the graphics include The U.S. Department of Transportation logo, carriers are required to have a "Satisfactory" safety rating to qualify. State and regional FMCSA officials are consulted before carriers are permitted to participate in the program. In addition, modification of original, trademarked No-Zone Campaign artwork or materials is not permitted without specific approval of FMCSA headquarters.
How to Purchase a No-Zone Decal
To participate, Carriers should contact one of the listed Decal Vendors. The Decal Vendor will check with the carrier's state FMCSA office to make sure the carrier requesting the decal has a "satisfactory" safety record, and that there are no other reasons for refusing to allow the carrier to participate. The vendor then will make arrangements for customizing the decal to the Carrier's specifications. Carriers will pay the Decal Vendor directly for the purchase of their decal.
Changes to No-Zone Artwork
Radical changes to any No-Zone design, artwork, or creative materials will NOT be permitted. FMCSA headquarters must approve any proposed change. Reinforcement and recognition of these messages greatly depend on maintaining a consistent, high quality, "uniform look" for all campaign materials. This is critical to its public acceptance on a nationwide basis. FMCSA's objective is to reduce highway fatalities involving large trucks. The No-Zone Campaign is the foundation of this effort. Its slogans, designs, colors, and logos have been market-tested and have proven to be effective in communicating "Sharing the Road Safely" messages.
Adding a Corporate Logo
Most companies may want to add corporate logos.
The Office of the Secretary, General Counsel's response to carriers being allowed to display No-Zone graphics on truck trailers in the FMCSA Truck Decal Program is interpreted as follows:
Since the private interests would, in effect, be endorsing our program, use of the Signature (DOT logo) on truck trailers would not reasonably constitute a commercial endorsement of the particular company under the following circumstances: The campaign material is standardized, and does not vary by user. (In other words, one carrier does not go "first class" while another goes "coach.") The DOT Signature is prominent and does not vary by user. (Same as above.) The DOT Signature is no less prominent than the logo or identifier of the user. (Greater prominence of the user's logo than our Signature would tend to give the impression that the user, not DOT, is the dominant factor.)
The campaign material clearly indicates words similar to: [Name of User] supports the FMCSA "No-Zone" campaign. (Strengthens the message that our program is being endorsed, not the opposite.)
With these caveats, General Counsel believes that use of the Signature is appropriate.
Further Information
For further Information, please write:
Share the Road Safely Program
C/o Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
6th Floor
Washington, DC 20590
Call: 202-493-0472
E-mail: sharetheroadinfo@fmcsa.dot.gov
LINKS:
What is the No-Zone
Calendar of Events
This Year (past events)
No-Zone Campaign Products
Campaign Research
Public Service Announcements
No-Zone Information
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