CVSA says Operation Safe Driver yields mixed results

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Operation Safe Driver, conducted Oct. 18-24 by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), yielded mixed results, the agency has announced.

 

On one hand, improvements were seen in both drivers and vehicles in terms of out-of-service violations and citations issued during roadside commercial vehicle inspections during the campaign. However, enforcement officers also noted an increase in moving traffic warnings and citations for all drivers, showing more work is needed to improve driving behaviour.

 

This year marked the third annual Operation Safe Driver campaign. A total of 5,231 enforcement personnel took part at 1,177 locations in the US and Canada. The program’s goal is to improve driver behaviour.

 

“Every day inspectors and law enforcement personnel strive to remove those ‘bad actors,’ whether they are truck, bus, or car drivers, from our roads,” said Steve Keppler, CVSA interim executive director. “And while we are making progress in some areas, the data show that we still have some work to do. Law enforcement officers also are acutely aware that education is a core component of enhancing highway safety, and in this regard are being more proactive in their efforts.”

 

“The Operation Safe Driver campaign reminds us that while we have seen steady progress in the areas of commercial vehicle and highway safety, there is still more we must do to promote safe driving practices,” added FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “To achieve this goal, the safety enforcement, safety advocacy and motor carrier communities must continue to work together to raise awareness and enhance enforcement so that we can ensure a high standard of road safety, reduce crashes and save lives.”

 

This year’s campaign also reached out to teenagers through a Teens and Trucks component that was offered to more than 2,000 students regionally in the US. Many other jurisdictions offered their own programs in conjuntion with Operation Safe Driver as well.

 

Over the course of the week 30,294 roadside inspections were conducted, with 5.4% of drivers placed out-of-service and 26.1% of Level 1 inspections resulting in the vehicle being placed out-of-service. Drivers averaged 0.44 violations per roadside inspection, 0.08 out-of-service violations per roadside inspection and 0.04 citations per roadside inspection.

 

Vehicles averaged 1.12 violations per roadside inspection, 0.19 out-of-service violations per roadside inspection and 0.05 citations per roadside inspection.

 

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