Operation Safe Driver Week has been announced by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) as July 7-13. Law enforcement across the US, Canada, and Mexico will be heavily monitoring the roadways for unsafe behaviors.
According to the CVSA, Operation Safe Driver Week is a "safe-driving awareness and outreach initiative aimed at improving the driving behaviors of passenger vehicle drivers and commercial motor vehicle drivers through educational and traffic enforcement strategies and interactions with law enforcement." For operators of commercial vehicles and drivers of passenger vehicles, this means that you could see an increased amount of law enforcement pulling vehicles over. If you see an emergency vehicle pulled over, always ensure you that you slow down and/or move over safely to provide extra room for safety.
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Driver safety is crucial, especially for owner-operators of commercial vehicles. In Tennessee, there were 122 truck accident deaths over a five-year period. The Department of Safety and Homeland Security reported 159 fatalities in 2019, which is an 18% increase from 2018.
Here are some safety tips for operators of commercial vehicles from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:
- Check your blind spots regularly
- Be vigilant of long stopping distances
- Be careful making wide turns
- Always use your seatbelt
- Avoid distractions while driving
- Stay vigilant of your surroundings
- Follow the speed limit
- Practice defensive driving
Although Operation Safe Driver Week is just a fraction of your year, safe driving is a must every time you get behind the wheel. Stay safe out there.