The CVSA Operation Safe Driver Week kicks off on July 11.
The number of miles driven on roads and highways across the United States dropped 13% in 2020 amid the pandemic. At the same time, though, the rate of death on roads increased 24% over the preceding 12-month period. It’s the highest year-over-year increase in nearly a century, the National Safety Council reports.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance cites that staggering stat as the reason it selected speeding as the focus of its 2021 Operation Safe Driver Week, which is slated to run July 11-17. During that period, law enforcement will be looking out for both commercial vehicle drivers and passenger car drivers engaged in risky behavior on the road.
In addition to speeding, law enforcement will look for other dangerous driving behavior, such as:
- Reckless, aggressive and distracted driving
- Tailgating
- Improper lane change
- Not using a seatbelt
- Impaired driving
“Data shows that traffic stops and interactions with law enforcement help reduce problematic driving behaviors,” CVSA President Sgt. John Samis said in a statement. “By making contact with drivers during Operation Safe Driver Week, law enforcement personnel aim to make our roadways safer by targeting high-risk driving behaviors.”
Top 5 Violations from Operation Safe Driver Week 2020
During last year’s Operation Safe Driver blitz, law enforcement handed out 6,077 warnings and 4,659 citations to commercial vehicle drivers, according to the CVSA.
The breakdown of citations issued was:
- Speeding: 2,339
- Failure to use seatbelt: 1,003
- Failure to obey traffic control device: 617
- Hand-held phone use: 269
- Improper lane change: 122
How Telematics Can Help Foster a Safer Fleet
While the CVSA Operation Safe Driver Week lasts just seven days, as a motor carrier you know that safe driving is crucial every day of the year. Telematics and fleet management tools can go a long way toward supporting your safety goals.
Improve Driver Performance
Data from electronic logging devices and dash cams provide actionable insights into safety-critical events, such as speeding and harsh cornering, braking and acceleration. This objective information about driver behavior is a powerful coaching tool.
And the data can be used to foster a culture of safety among drivers, allowing fleet managers to set improvement benchmarks and reward safe driving. Features like the EROAD Driver Leaderboard, which measures your drivers’ performance against that of drivers industrywide, can even spark healthy competition as drivers vie to become the safest in your fleet.
Improve Fleet Health
You can have the best, safest drivers in the industry. But if your physical fleet isn’t in good shape, safety (not to mention your CSA score) is going to suffer. Fleet management tools provide an efficient process for tracking and scheduling vehicle maintenance. Tools like EROAD’s paperless DVIR make it easier for drivers to perform their pre- and post-trip inspections.
And smart trailer tracking solutions add unprecedented, real-time insights into trailer health – brakes, lights, tires and more – that can help fleet managers and drivers identify potential problems before they happen.
With fleet management solutions like our dependable, durable and accurate ELD, Clarity Dashcam and Asset Tracker, EROAD is committed to helping our customers run safe, efficient and successful operations while staying in compliance with FMCSA regulations. Contact us today to learn more.
