U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Arrives with Safety in Mind

The U.S. Department of Transportation is dedicated to three priorities: safety, innovation, and infrastructure. When it comes to safety concerning large trucks and buses, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is always looking for unique and engaging ways to convey to the American people important road safety messages. And what could be a more unique way to get out our safety message than alongside an 84’ white fir named Sugar Bear traveling across the country this holiday season via truck!

2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Journey

In 2021, for the third year in a row, FMCSA supported the cross-country journey of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Each year, the U.S. Forest Service selects a national forest to provide a Christmas tree to stand proudly on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol during the holiday season. While the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is a traditional symbol and celebration of our nation’s forests, the tree’s cross-country trek provides an exciting opportunity to highlight FMCSA’s Our Roads, Our Safety campaign message about the importance of driving safely around large vehicles — such as the one carrying this important tree.

This year the tree’s odyssey began on October 29 at the Six Rivers National Forest in Willow Creek, CA. Six drivers took turns driving the truck carrying the tree and made stops in almost 20 cities along the way to the Nation’s Capital. By the time it arrived on November 19, the tree was seen up close by thousands of people across the country. Our Roads, Our Safety educational materials were handed out at each event along the way, with a special appearance made by FMCSA Deputy Administrator Meera Joshi at the last whistle stop before the tree reached the Washington D.C. area.

On top of bringing holiday spirit, the truck carrying the tree was emblazoned with road safety tips for drivers traveling around large trucks and buses. The voyage culminated with a tree lighting ceremony at the Capitol on November 29.

About Our Roads, Our Safety

FMCSA’s national awareness campaign, Our Roads, Our Safety, encourages all road users to share the road safely with large trucks and buses, and is supported by the formal Our Roads, Our Safety Partnership. State, regional, and local partners are essential to the success of Our Roads, Our Safety and all transportation safety programs. By extending the reach of our safety message, partners help FMCSA reach millions of road users with vital information and strategies to adopt safe driving behaviors. Working together to reduce crashes and fatalities, we also open greater opportunities to focus on transportation-related issues like climate, infrastructure, equity, and transportation jobs.