Tomorrow, October 18, begins the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Operation safe Driver Week. The event runs from October 18-24 when law enforcement across North America will be in an enhanced mode of safety enforcement. This will not simply be for commercial drivers but also for private drivers.
The operation is conducted across Mexico, the US, and Canada. The CVSA reports that in the years of 2011-2013, 12,502 people were killed in auto accidents and more than 287,000 injured in crashes involving either a large truck or bus. More than 70% of the crashes involved multi-vehicle crashes with cars. If a car and a big truck hit each other, you can bet the car, and it’s passengers, will lose every time.
There are very, very few crashes that are ever the direct fault of the vehicle. Almost always, a driver is at fault. Whether you driver a truck or car, unsafe lane changes, driving too close to the vehicle in front of you and distracted driving are all dangerous activities.
Fatigue is another critical safety problem. So, this week, troopers will be checking truck driver logbooks or electronic logbooks (EOBRs). They will also be spending more time checking truck weights and vehicle maintenance.
In 2014, law enforcement reported pulling over 59,080 commercial vehicle drivers and drivers of cars for unsafe driving behavior. The group also conducted events at state fairs, state capitals, high schools, and sporting events throughout the US and Canada.
The top safety violations:
- Speeding
- Seat Belt
- Ignoring safety signs
- DWI/DUI or Possession of alcohol in the vehicle illegally (open container)
- Improper lane changes
The CVSA partners with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) for this event. The FMCSA, of course, is responsible for the rules on electronic log books (rule 395.15) and other commercial driver regulations.
This is a good week for our highways. It might be a pain for our truckers who travel safely week after week, but for those who don’t, and need a reminder, safety reminders are very important. And, for those who don’t driver commercially yet make our roads hazardous as a result of hurried driving or distracted driving.
For more information on the CVSA and this program, click here
