First held in 2007, the annual Operation Safe Driver event is an initiative by the CVSA and the FMCSA. Enforcement agencies will conduct safety enforcement activities geared towards unsafe behaviors for both Commercial Motor Vehicles and the motoring public. This year’s event is happening from Sunday, October 19, 2014 to Saturday, October 25^th, 2014 and will occur at various locations throughout North America.

What can be expected during the week blitz? Boosted roadside inspections, moving violation checks, driver infraction inspections, general driver regulatory compliance checks, and inspection of aggressive behaviors on ALL drivers. These activities will be targeted in high-crash corridors with high CMV traffic. Specific things that will be emphasized for 2014 are:

–          Speeding

–          Texting/distractions

–          Following too close

–          Improper lane changes

–          Seat Belt Usage

–          Fatigue

The week blitz also contains a strong educational component. The CVSA has created an Operation Safe Driver toolkit. Below, some of the key tips they have made available:

–          How to avoid aggressive driving

–          How to defeat distracted driving

–          The dangers involved in speed and following too closely

Make sure you and your truck are prepared; this especially important as many drivers are coming off of local harvest work and returning to more long-haul trips, travelling in high traffic corridors.