More than 7,000 truckers have signed a Safety Pledge to drive safely on Interstate 81. Drive Smart Virginia says that 75 percent of truckers killed in accidents were not wearing their seat belts.

"It doesn’t take just one time to have a catastrophe in one of those things and it'll mess you up," says Michael Morrell, a tractor trailer driver of four months.

He says being a professional driver doesn't make you invincible.

“It’s a big difference,” says Morrell. “You've got 53 feet of trailer, plus about 25 feet of tractor. I think it's 72 feet in all, I think."

Kevin Polk drives Interstate 81 all the time. He says it's about time that truck drivers pledge safety.

"That truck can't stop on a dime, so it would be nice if they would give us some more respect," says Polk.

Truckers have been reminded to buckle up via radio advisories and at select rest areas and truck stops.

"I guess they get old or tired or complacent about driving and they've had good records. Their confidence level is high and they just forget," says Morrell, who also says the pledge is definitely necessary.

Although trucks can be bothersome, Polk says if they drive safe, they help everyone out.

"He's carrying products to different stores for us, especially for Christmas,” adds Polk. “You just want to give them courtesy; let them do what they have to do. They're trying to get home also safely."

The Safety Pledge reads like this: "I pledge to drive safely and buckle-up because my well-being greatly affects my family and loved ones. It is my responsibility to maintain control of my vehicle, and using my safety belt is my best chance of remaining in control of my truck in a crash or emergency situation. I will always drive safely and buckle-up on Interstate 81."

Drive Smart Virginia says that people who don't buckle up also tend to exhibit other risky driving behavior, such as speeding or being aggressive on the roads. Through targeting seat belt use, they're also able to address other safety items.