Risky and unsafe driving is the source of a high volume of accidents. This week, known as Operation Safe Driver Week, will work to reduce problematic driving behaviors. Promoted by Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), this program is aimed at lessening unsafe driving practices by educating all drivers. Throughout this week, the Operation Safe Driver program will:
Target unsafe driving behaviors by both passenger vehicle drivers and commercial drivers
Educate youth about safely sharing roads with large trucks and buses
Offer commercial driver educational and awareness programs to the motor carrier population
Increase awareness to the general motoring public about safe operations around commercial motor vehicles
Aim to improve commercial motor driver regulator compliance
Conduct passenger vehicle and commercial motor vehicle traffic enforcement initiatives
This campaign targets driver behaviors, being that drivers' actions contribute to a staggering 94% of all traffic crashes. These actions may include speeding or not paying attention to the driving task.
What can you expect?
This week, law enforcement personnel will be on the lookout for commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers engaging in risky driving. Identified unsafe drivers will be pulled over and issued a citation or warning. In previous years, enforcement officers have made contact with about 30,000 commercial motor vehicle drivers and 36,500 passenger vehicle drivers during Operation Safe Driver Week.
Why is this so important?
Data shows that traffic stops and interactions with law enforcement help reduce problematic driving behaviors.
Speeding has been a factor in more than a quarter of crash deaths since 2008.
Speeding of any kind was the most frequent driver-related crash factor for drivers of commercial motor vehicles and passenger vehicles.
Speeding was a factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities in 2018, killing an average of more than 25 people per day.
Distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in 2019.
Of the 22,215 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2019, 47% were not wearing seat belts.
How can you help?
When operating any kind of vehicle, remember to be wary of any actions that may increase the likelihood of an accident. Be sure to abstain from speeding, pay attention to your surroundings, and always wear a seat belt. Additionally, spread awareness about the dangers of risky driving behaviors. Finally, The CVSA shares a variety of resources to learn more about safe driving, including resources for teens and new drivers and resources for commercial motor vehicle drivers.
Learn more on the CVSA website.