The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) introduced Operation Safe Driver Week in 2007 as a critical effort aimed at reducing 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 leading transportation organizations, this initiative continues to be a cornerstone in promoting road safety. This year, Operation Safe Driver Week is scheduled for July 13–19, 2025. Like last year, law enforcement in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. will focus on reckless, careless, or dangerous driving, pulling over both commercial and passenger vehicle drivers to issue warnings or citations. 

In 2024, the results of Operation Safe Driver Week emphasized the ongoing need for enforcement and education. Across the U.S. and Canada, pulling over 11,050 vehicles during the 7-day period. Focusing specifically on Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers:

• 2,439 warnings and 1,583 tickets/citations were issued for unsafe driving behavior   
• 1,221 warnings and 502 citations were issued for speeding   
• In the U.S., speeding continues to be a leading factor in crashes, contributing to over 25% of traffic deaths annually 
• Following too closely and failure to wear a seatbelt remained top violations 
• Reckless driving and handheld device usage were also among the most cited behaviors 

According to the latest TRUST (Truck Reliability Usage Safety Tracker) index, when reviewing the CSA scores of the top 20 private fleets in the country, dangerous driving accounted for 75% of total Unsafe Driving violations. This innovative safety index aims to provide benchmarks that address the longstanding issue of safety within transportation, with fleet-specific KPIs to help organizations improve areas of specific operations and elevate their overall CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores. 

These behaviors endanger everyone on the road. Here are some key statistics and tips on how to stay safe behind the wheel: 

• Speeding: Contributed to over 40,000 crash-related fatalities in 2023 alone. 
  
  • SLOW DOWN - Reducing speed is one of the most effective ways to avoid collisions and save lives. 
    
• Distracted Driving: Claimed 3,308 lives in 2022, and cell phone use violations are consistently among the top reasons commercial drivers are pulled over.
  • IT CAN WAIT - Keep your phone out of reach and focus on the road. 
• Seatbelt Usage: Seatbelts save approximately 15,000 lives annually.
  • CLICK IT - Wearing your seatbelt is the easiest way to protect yourself during a crash. 

To ensure the success of Operation Safe Driver Week and to promote long-term safe driving habits, both fleets and drivers should take proactive steps during this campaign.

Transportation Fleets:

• Inform your drivers about Operation Safe Driver Week and this year’s focus areas.
• Reinforce company-wide safety programs and DOT compliance. 
• Provide education and training on safe driving behaviors and enforcement expectations. 
• Review and address recent vehicle inspection and roadside findings. 
• Encourage open discussions with drivers about safe operations and risk management. 

Commercial Drivers:

• Buckle Up: Your seatbelt is your first line of defense.
  
• Obey Traffic Signs: Stay alert and follow posted rules to help avoid preventable violations. 
• Avoid Distractions: Texts, food, and phone calls can wait. Focus on driving. 
• Conduct Thorough Pre/Post Trip Inspections: Check your equipment and stay ahead of potential issues. 
• Maintain a Safe Following Distance: Don’t tailgate; give yourself time to react. 
• Stay Alert: Watch for changes in road conditions, weather, or traffic patterns. 
• Slow Down: Especially in high-risk zones, construction areas, or poor weather conditions. 

While safe driving should always be a daily priority, Operation Safe Driver Week provides an important opportunity to refresh safety habits, strengthen awareness, and reduce risky behaviors on the road! For more information on Operation Safe Driver Week 2025, visit the CVSA’s website.