GREENBELT, MD —  A period of heightened truck safety enforcement and education is going on now through Oct 24.

The annual Operation Safe Driver is going on throughout North America as law enforcement is cracking down on both commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and car drivers in this event organized by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) in conjunction with provincial, state, and local law enforcement, along with trucking industry partners.     

During Operation Safe Driver Week, activities will be held across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, with the goal of increasing commercial vehicle and non-commercial vehicle traffic enforcement, safety belt enforcement, driver roadside inspections and driver regulatory compliance.

In addition to enforcement, education is a big component of Operation Safe Driver Week. Law enforcement and transportation safety officials will offer awareness safety programs to the motor carrier population and the motoring public at high schools, state capitals, state fairs, truck rodeos, sporting events and other locations.

Last year, during the week-long campaign, law enforcement officers pulled over 59,080 commercial vehicle drivers and car drivers for unsafe driving behaviors. Data was collected by 4,337 law enforcement officials at 1,549 locations across Canada and the U.S.

The top five warnings and citations issued to CMV drivers were: speeding, failure to use a safety belt, failure to obey traffic control devices, improper lane change, and following too closely.

The top five warnings and citations issued to passenger car drivers were: speeding, failure to use a safety belt, failure to obey a traffic control device, possession/use/under the influence of alcohol, and improper lane change.

Read about more results from last year’s Operation Safe Driver week.