Truck drivers face unique safety challenges on the job.
That’s why the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is sponsoring Operation Safe Driver Week from July 10th-16th. This initiative is designed to raise awareness about the importance of safe driving behaviors among all road users.
What to Expect
During the week, educational materials will be distributed to truck drivers and the general public. Law enforcement officers will be on the lookout for unsafe driving behaviors by both truck and passenger vehicle drivers. These include speeding, distracted driving, and improper lane changes. Drivers who are caught breaking the law will be subject to citations or warnings.
Targeting Unsafe Driver Behaviors
As you’ll read in the next section, unsafe driver behaviors are the leading causes of deaths and injuries resulting from crashes.
Unsafe driver behaviors can be classified as either aggressive or non-aggressive. Aggressive driving behaviors are those that involve a willful disregard for safety. These include speeding, tailgating, and running red lights. Non-aggressive driving behaviors are those that are often the result of not paying attention or carelessness. Examples include distracted driving and failing to yield the right of way.
Nonetheless, both aggressive and non-aggressive driving behaviors are dangerous. All unsafe driver behaviors contribute to 94% of traffic accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Unsafe Driving Statistics
While we all dread getting pulled over, data shows that traffic stops and law enforcement interactions help reduce unsafe driving behaviors. Law enforcement’s aim is to make our roadways safer and target risky driving.
As outlined by the CSVA, here are some surprising statistics…
- Speeding has been a factor in more than a quarter of crash deaths since 2008. (Source)
- Speeding of any kind was the most frequent driver-related crash factor for drivers of commercial motor vehicles and passenger vehicles. (Source)
- Speeding was a factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities in 2018, killing 9,378 people or an average of more than 25 people per day. (Source)
- Distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in 2019. (Source)
- Of the 22,215 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2019, 47% were not wearing seat belts. Seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives and could have saved an additional 2,549 people if they had been wearing seat belts, in 2017 alone. (Source)
- Every day, about 28 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 52 minutes. In 2019, 10,142 people lost their lives due to drunk driving. (Source)
How You Can Help
Here are some ways you can help make our roads safer during Operation Safe Driver Week – and beyond:
- Drive safely yourself. Be a good role model for other drivers.
- Obey the speed limit. Speeding is one of the leading causes of accidents.
- Put away your phone. Distracted driving is a major safety hazard.
- Buckle up. Wearing a seatbelt can save your life in an accident.
- Don’t drink and drive. Never get behind the wheel if you are intoxicated.
- Follow the rules of the road. Obeying traffic laws helps keep everyone safe.
- Be patient. Road rage is a major safety hazard. Take a deep breath and give other drivers some space.
- Report unsafe drivers. If you see someone driving dangerously, report their license plate number to the police.
Closing Thoughts
Let’s all do our part to make the roads safer for everyone. If you’re a truck driver, please take this opportunity to brush up on safety best practices. And if you share the road with trucks, please give them the space they need to maneuver safely. Thank you for your help in making our roads safer!
At Liquid Trucking, we are committed to safety. If you would like to learn more about our safety initiatives, please give us a call at 844-GO-TANKS.