Operation Safe Driver Targets CMV, Non-CMV Drivers

Campaign Identifies and Takes Action on Problem Driving Behaviors

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speeding and aggressive driving behaviors significantly influence the approximately 43,000 people that die on U.S. highways each year -- 5,000 of which involve large trucks. To curb the number of deadly crashes on our most dangerous highways, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), recently launched a new campaign called Operation Safe Driver. Its principal objective is to target and take action on problem drivers -- both those who drive commercial vehicles and those who drive passenger vehicles.

"The statistics tell the tale - nearly nine out of 10 crashes between cars and trucks are attributed to the driver, with 56 percent of those attributed to the passenger car driver," FMCSA Administrator John H. Hill said. "Programs like Operation Safe Driver will help all drivers realize how their decisions behind the wheel affect safety."

Crash analysis by FMCSA shows that 56 percent of crashes involving a large truck and a passenger vehicle are attributed to the passenger vehicle driver. Forty-four percent of such crashes are attributed to the truck driver.

"CVSA wants to make clear that driving defensively and in a cooperative manner makes for safer highways for all drivers and passengers on the road," CVSA Executive Director Stephen F. Campbell said. "Operation Safe Driver is part of a larger law enforcement effort and focus to reduce fatalities on the most dangerous, high crash corridors in North America."

During the week of October 21-28, 2007, Operation Safe Driver targeted problem commercial and non-commercial driver behavior and performance across North America -- involving nearly 3,700 law enforcement personnel and more than 1,500 localities in 31 states and 5 provinces -- through a combination of enforcement, education and awareness strategies.

Operation Safe Driver Results:

-- 20,523 CMV Driver/Credential Inspections, 2,090 (10.2%) of which resulted in the driver being placed out of service.

-- 16,636 CMV Driver Traffic Enforcement Contacts, which resulted in 4,229 moving violations (0.25 violations per contact).

-- 6,698 Non-CMV Driver Traffic Enforcement Contacts, which resulted in 4,860 moving violations (0.73 violations per contact).

-- 22,181 CMV Driver License checks and 6,205 Non-CMV Driver License checks.

Below are the total moving violations and their percentages for each driver type:

In addition, 89 targeted Compliance Reviews were conducted by FMCSA personnel on motor carriers employing the "worst of the worst" commercial drivers, which resulted in the following:

-- 30 carriers (or 34% of the total reviews) receiving a Conditional Safety Rating.

** The national average of carriers rated Conditional is 25%

-- 10 carriers (or 11% of the total reviews) receiving an Unsatisfactory Safety Rating.

** The national average of carriers rated Unsatisfactory is 6%

CVSA Member jurisdictions and its partners also performed a number of educational activities, including distributing brochures and posters that graphically depict what can happen when passenger and commercial vehicles collide and what drivers can do to take preventative measures. These materials can be viewed at http://cvsa.stores.yahoo.net/opsadrouma.html.

CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit http://www.cvsa.org/.