The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) introduced Operation Safe Driver Week in 2007 as a critical effort focused on lessening accidents, fatalities, and injuries across all types of vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks, buses, and automobiles. In partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and industry and transportation associations, this initiative remains a major program for advocating road safety. 

Last year, the results of Operation Safe Driver Week were telling. Across the United States and Canada, there were 11,448 stops, which resulted in 4,494 tickets and 5,756 warnings.  

When focusing on just commercial drivers: 

• 4,592 warnings and 2,634 tickets were issued  
• Speeding rose 8% in related fatalities from 2020 to 2021, totaling 12,330 deaths  
• 14% of commercial drivers did not wear their seatbelts regularly  
• A large number of tickets were also given for texting while driving or using handheld devices 

During this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week, law enforcement will focus on reckless, careless, or dangerous driving. There are a few critical areas that affect safety for both passengers and commercial drivers. Here are some key statistics and tips on what you can implement to stay safe on the road. 

• Speeding: Since 2008, speeding has been a factor in 25% of crashes.
  • SLOW DOWN - reducing speed is essential to lower crash rates and save lives.
    
• Distracted Driving: 3,142 lives have been lost to distracted driving since 2019.
  • IT CAN WAIT - Putting down the phone and avoiding other distractions help you stay focused on the road.
• Seatbelt Usage: Seatbelts saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2019 alone.
  • CLICK IT - Encouraging seatbelt use among commercial drivers can greatly reduce catastrophic injuries.

In addition to everyday operations, to ensure the success of Operation Safe Driver Week and to maximize safety, both motor carriers and commercial truck drivers should focus on these specific measures: 

Private Fleet or Motor Carriers:  

• Inform drivers about Operation Safe Driver Week and what to expect, emphasizing fleet safety.
• Ensure full compliance with all DOT regulations.  
• Educate drivers on DOT transportation regulations and company policies and procedures. 
• Address any issues identified in vehicle inspection reports and roadside inspections. 
• Conduct discussions on safety compliance and safe operations with drivers.  

Drivers:

• Buckle Up: Always wear your seatbelt - it's a simple action that can save lives.
  
• Obey Traffic Signs: Follow all traffic signs to maintain order and safety on the roads. 
• Avoid Distractions: Put the phone down, it can wait! Focus on driving and minimize distractions like eating while behind the wheel. 
• Conduct Thorough Pre/Post Trip Inspections: Regular inspections ensure your vehicle is in good working condition. 
• Maintain a Safe Following Distance: Keeping a safe distance from other vehicles helps prevent collisions. 
• Stay Alert: Pay attention to your surroundings to anticipate and respond to potential hazards.
• Slow Down: Speeding is a major factor in crashes. Reducing speed can save lives. 

While safety should always be a top priority and risky driving behaviors should always be eliminated, Operation Safe Driver Week offers a great opportunity to educate drivers, including those operating heavy-duty trucks, on the importance of safety practices while operating the vehicle. 

For more information on Operation Safe Driver Week and its initiatives, visit the CVSA's website. Stay tuned for updates and be prepared to participate in Operation Safe Driver Week, running from July 7-13, 2024.