The Fleet AdvantEDGE

During the "100 Deadliest Days" of summer, which falls between Memorial Day and Labor Day, there is a significant increase in fatal crashes, presenting heavy-duty truck drivers with added challenges on the road as summer unfolds. With longer daylight hours, a rise in outdoor activities, and a surge in construction projects, a heightened sense of awareness and focus is paramount. As the roads become busier with motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and vacationers, drivers must prioritize their mental and visual acuity to ensure a safe journey ahead.

Welcome to Operation Safe Driver Week, an event aimed at enhancing traffic safety and promoting awareness.  In collaboration with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA),  this annual initiative strives to reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving commercial trucks, buses, and cars.  Law enforcement agencies are diligently targeting dangerous driving behaviors exhibited by both commercial and passenger vehicle drivers. These risky behaviors include:

• Speeding 
• Distracted driving (such as mobile device usage) 
• Aggressive driving 
• Cutting off other drivers 
• Tailgating 

The "100 Deadliest Days'" of summer is the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when fatal crashes increase dramatically and heavy-duty truck drivers face additional challenges on the road with the arrival of summer. Longer daylight hours, increased outdoor activities, and a surge in construction projects demand heightened awareness and focus. As the number of motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and vacationers rises, it becomes vital for drivers to prioritize mental and visual acuity to ensure a safe journey.

Operation Safe Driver Week - A week of  intensified traffic safety enforcement is here!  

Operation Safe Driver Week was launched in 2007 by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and with the support from industry and transportation organizations. The program was established to help reduce the number of crashes, deaths and injuries resulting from crashes involving various motor vehicles, including commercial trucks, buses, and cars.  

During the summer months, drivers of heavy duty trucks should be reminded of additional driving challenges that present themselves. Increased outdoor activities resulting from more daylight hours make it especially important to get plenty of rest before buckling-up in an 18-wheeler, as driver mental and visual acuity must be at peak performance. Children are out of school, increasing the number of motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians on the roadways.  Additionally, summertime is when most roadway construction programs are initiated.  This increase in roadway activity means that a driver’s focus on fleet safety must be on-point 100% of the time to avoid accidents.  

In March 2020, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) announced the postponement of International Roadcheck due to the coronavirus pandemic, with new dates to be determined. CVSA has now rescheduled International Roadcheck for Sept. 9-11.

The annual CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) International Roadcheck will take place this year beginning June 4 – 6, 2019.  This is the 32nd year for this event, known to be the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world.  The organization has on record that that nearly 17 trucks or buses are inspected every minute across North America during this 72-hour period! Here is some helpful fleet safety information to start educating your drivers about this event and its importance in assuring safe commercial vehicle operations, along with information in regards to the roadside inspection program. 

The annual CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) International Roadcheck will take place this year beginning June 5 – 7, 2018.  This is the 31st year for this event, known to be the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world.  The organization has on record that that nearly 15 trucks or buses are inspected every minute across North America during this 72-hour period! Here is some helpful fleet safety information to start educating your drivers about this event and its importance in assuring safe commercial vehicle operations, along with information in regards to the roadside inspection program. 

The annual CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) International Roadcheck will take place this year on June 6 – 8, 2017.  This is the 30^th year for this event, known to be the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world.  The organization has on record that that nearly 15 trucks or buses are inspected every minute across North America during this 72-hour period! Here is some helpful fleet safety information to start educating your drivers about this event and its importance in assuring safe commercial vehicle operations, along with information in regards to the roadside inspection program. 

What do you think the most important operating component of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is?  Although there are many components, the most important one is the part that makes the equipment stop - the brakes!!!!! It is critical that brakes operate properly at all times to ensure safety.  The braking system on CMV’s is designed for tough conditions, but like anything, it must be inspected and maintained carefully and consistently.  By doing this, the brake system will operate properly throughout the life of the truck.

Brake Fleet Safety Week was established in 1998 as an annual outreach and enforcement campaign with the goal of improving CMV brake safety and awareness throughout North America.  More than 3.4 million brakes have been inspected since the program’s inception.