The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Operation Safe Driver Week is scheduled for Sunday, July 11th through Saturday, July 17th, 2021. Similar to last year’s event along with last month’s International Roadcheck, CVSA officials will be on the lookout for commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers that are engaging in unsafe driving and speeding. Officials classify unsafe driving behavior as “reckless or aggressive driving, distracted driving, following too closely, improper lane change, failure to obey traffic control devices, failure to use a seat belt, evidence of drunk or drugged driving, etc.”

Officials decided to focus on speeding due to an increase in traffic fatalities. According to the National Safety Council, “the estimated rate of death on roads last year increased 24% over the previous 12-month period, despite miles driven dropping 13%” due to the pandemic. This increase is the highest year-over-year jump in 96 years. Experts believe that the pressure for on-time deliveries combined with the increased demand for freight and the numerous supply chain disruptions have led to speeding and overall unsafe driving and when vehicles are driving faster, the accidents they are in are more likely to be more severe. 

What to expect: 

Drivers that are flagged for speeding or unsafe driving behavior should anticipate slight delays while the official issues warnings, citations or performs vehicle/driver inspections. 

During last year’s inspection, CVSA officials reported interactions with 29,921 commercial motor vehicle drivers resulting in 10,736 traffic enforcement warnings (6,077) and citations (4,659) issued. The top five citations were:

1. Speeding/violation of basic speed law/driving too fast for the conditions – 2,339
2. Failure to use a seat belt while operating a commercial motor vehicle – 1,003
3. Failure to obey traffic control device – 617
4. Using a hand-held phone/texting – 269
5. Improper lane change – 122

CVSA’s “data shows that traffic stops and interactions with law enforcement help reduce problematic driving behaviors” so drivers that are identified as speeding or participating in unsafe behavior will be pulled over and issued a citation or warning. CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Program goal is to help reduce the number of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles and passenger vehicles due to unsafe driving behaviors. 

Odyssey Logistics & Technology is committed to developing a safe work environment and logistics network for its employees and customers and will continue to bring you the latest updates and results of these safety checks.

For more information regarding this International Roadcheck, visit: CVSA.