Ensuring Your Drivers and Staff Are Prepared
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.
Understanding 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:
- Excessive speeding well above the legal limit
- Aggressive maneuvers, like weaving in and out of traffic
- Racing other vehicles on public roads
- Ignoring traffic signals and signs
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
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:
- Failing to signal when turning or changing lanes
- Not maintaining a safe following distance
- Distracted driving, such as using a mobile phone while driving
- Minor speeding over the limit
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
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:
- Driving significantly over the speed limit in heavy traffic
- Running red lights or stop signs in a manner that endangers others
- Aggressive tailgating
- Drifting or performing stunts on public roads
- Driving while extremely fatigued or impaired
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.
The information in this article is provided as a courtesy of Great West Casualty Company and is part of the Value-Driven® Company program. Value-Driven Company was created to help educate and inform insureds so they can make better decisions, build a culture that values safety, and manage risk more effectively. To see what additional resources Great West Casualty Company can provide for its insureds, please contact your safety representative, or click below to find an agent.
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This material is intended to be a broad overview of the subject matter and is provided for informational purposes only. Great West Casualty Company does not provide legal advice to its insureds, nor does it advise insureds 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. Legal advice should always be sought from the insured’s legal counsel. Great West Casualty Company 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.
