CVSA ‘Operation Safe Driver’ 2015 Results Released

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) this week announced the results of the 2015 Operation Safe Driver enforcement blitz.

Operation Safe DriverOperation Safe Driver Week is a collaboration between the FMCSA and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. (CVSA). Each year, law enforcement agencies throughout North America team up to crack down on unsafe driving.

The seven-day “awareness campaign” occurred October 18-24, 2015.

During the week-long enforcement blitz, officers pulled over 21,012 CMVs and passenger vehicle drivers.  In addition, 19,480 CVM roadside inspections were performed.  Truck drivers fared better than car drivers in the blitz.

“Officers found that non-commercial motor vehicle (passenger vehicle) drivers speed significantly more than commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. Passenger vehicle drivers were issued a warning or citation for speeding 27.3 percent of the time, versus 9.3 percent for CMV drivers,” the CVSA states. 

Operation Safe Driver Results from CVSA: 

The top five warnings and citations issued to CMV drivers were:

1. size and weight
2. speeding
3. failure to use a seatbelt while operating a CMV
4. failure to obey traffic control device
5. using a handheld phone

The top five warnings and citations issued to non-CMV (passenger vehicle) drivers were:

1. speeding
2. failure to use a seatbelt
3. failure to obey traffic control device
4. following too closely
5. improper lane change

The following is a closer look at the numbers:

• In 2015, 13,807 CMV traffic enforcement contacts were made; the total was 19,980 in 2014.
• Non-CMV (passenger vehicle) traffic enforcement contacts totaled 7,205 in 2015; there were 39,100 in 2014.
• Roadside inspections totaled 19,480 in 2015 versus 24,184 in 2014.
• In 2015, the number of warnings and citations per contact to CMV drivers was 0.58; whereas the number of warnings/citations per contact to non-CMV (passenger vehicle) drivers was 0.69.
• The percentage of warnings and citations issued to CMV drivers for speeding increased from 5.8 percent in 2014 to 9.3 percent in 2015.
• The percentage of warnings and citations issued to non-CMV (passenger vehicle) drivers for speeding decreased from 52.3 percent in 2014 to 27.3 percent in 2015.
• The percentage of warnings and citations issued to CMV drivers for failing to obey traffic control devices increased from 2.5 percent in 2014 to 3.85 percent in 2015.
• The percentage of non-CMV (passenger vehicle) drivers issued warnings and citations for alcohol possession/use/under the influence in 2015 was 0.57 percent; in 2014, it was 1.7 percent.
• The percentage of warnings and citations issued to CMV drivers in 2015 for failure to use seat belts was 5 percent. It was 2.8 percent in 2014. For non-CMV (passenger vehicle) drivers, the percentage increased from 4.1 percent in 2014 to 8.5 percent in 2015.

“Everyone traveling on our highways and roads should reach their destination safely,” said FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling. “I thank CVSA and its members for their partnership and commitment to safety. By working together through efforts like Operation Safe Driver, crashes will be prevented and lives will be saved.”