Truckers targeted in Operation Safe Driver

Oct. 18, 2011
Law enforcement officials throughout the North America are stepping up patrols and cracking down on large trucks as part of Operation Safe Driver, which began Sunday and will continue through Oct. 22

Law enforcement officials throughout the North America are stepping up patrols and cracking down on large trucks as part of Operation Safe Driver, which began Sunday and will continue through Oct. 22.

Operation Safe Driver is sponsored by CVSA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), as well as strategic partners including the American Assn. of Motor Vehicle Administrators, American Trucking Assns., American Assn. of State Highway & Transportation Officials, American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Assn, FedEx Corp., Governors Highway Safety Assn., National District Attorneys Assn. and United Motorcoach Assn.

“Each year more than 36,000 people die on the roadways throughout North America — about 4,000 of which are related to large trucks and buses,” said Stephen A. Keppler, CVSA’s executive director. “Many of these deaths are the direct result of unsafe and aggressive driving practices by both passenger and commercial vehicle drivers.

“We are asking all drivers to join us in providing solutions to this pandemic and to fight back against aggressive and unsafe driving practices, especially distracted driving,” said Keppler. “We need the public’s help in putting a face on safety within our communities and spheres of influence. As an individual, a company or association, there are many things you can do to make a difference. It starts with educating your own employees about the dangers of aggressive and unsafe driving. In addition, you can become an active supporter to stop these senseless deaths that occur daily and affect each and every one of us.”

Operation Safe Driver will take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Its aim is to increase activities related to commercial vehicle and non-commercial vehicle traffic enforcement; safety belt enforcement; driver roadside safety inspections; driver regulatory compliance; implementation of commercial driver educational and awareness programs to the motor carrier population; and, raising awareness to the motoring public about safe operations around trucks and buses.

“This week’s Operation Safe Driver campaign sends a strong message to all drivers to think safety. In particular, it demonstrates just how serious we are about catching bus or truck drivers who are doing anything less and will make our roads safer and save lives by removing thousands of unsafe truck, bus and car drivers them from the road,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “We will not rest until all drivers are thinking safety first, every trip, every time. The Operation Safe Driver Campaign moves us closer to achieving our safety goals.”

About the Author

Deborah Whistler

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