The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) Operation Safe Driver campaign is officially underway throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Motor carriers of all sizes must prepare for this event by educating themselves about what Operation Safe Driver Week means for their trucking operations.
The CVSA's Operation Safe Driver Program was created to improve the driving behaviors of all drivers and reduce the number of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles on roadways through educational and traffic enforcement strategies. This year's focus is on reckless, careless, and dangerous driving.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is a serious traffic offense characterized by a blatant disregard for the safety of persons or property. It involves driving with a willful or wanton disregard for the rules of the road and the safety of others. Examples of reckless driving include:
Careless Driving
Careless driving, also known as driving without due care and attention, refers to operating a vehicle in a manner that lacks proper attention to the road and surroundings, but without the deliberate intent to harm. This offense is generally less severe than reckless driving. Examples include:
Dangerous Driving
Dangerous driving is a more severe form of careless driving where the actions of the driver significantly endanger the safety of other road users. It implies a higher level of risk and potential harm. Examples of dangerous driving include:
In all cases, these driving behaviors pose serious risks not only to the driver but also to other motorists, pedestrians, and property. Law enforcement agencies actively monitor and enforce regulations against these types of driving to ensure road safety.
According to the CVSA's website, there were 42,795 fatal traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2022, 1,768 motor vehicle fatalities in Canada in 2021, and 15,979 road deaths in Mexico in 2022.
Learn more about this year's CVSA Operation Safe Driver Week by clicking here.
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive.
This material is intended to be a broad overview of the subject matter and is provided for informational purposes only. Joe Morten & Son, Inc. does not provide legal advice to its insureds or other parties, nor does it advise insureds or other parties on employment-related issues, therefore the subject matter is not intended to serve as legal or employment advice for any issue(s) that may arise in the operations of its insureds or other parties. Legal advice should always be sought from legal counsel. Joe Morten & Son, Inc. shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, action, or inaction alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the information contained herein. Reprinted with permission from Great West Casualty Company.