From July 10-16 of 2022, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is promoting Operation Safe Driver Week. Operation Safe Driver is a yearly program created by CVSA with support from federal agencies, the motor carrier industry and transportation safety organizations. It aims to reduce poor driving behaviors by educating drivers on ways to share the roads safely.
Throughout this week, law enforcement personnel will also be on roadways issuing warnings and citations to commercial motor vehicle and passenger vehicle drivers engaging in unsafe driving behaviors, such as speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, improper lane changes, impaired driving, etc. During last year’s initiative, law enforcement personnel issued a total of 71,343 warnings and citations.
The Importance of the Operation Safe Driver Program
In its most recent report, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that 31,720 people died in motor vehicle crashes nationwide throughout the first nine months of 2021. This is a 12% increase from those who were killed in crashes in 2020. It’s also the highest number of fatalities reported throughout the first nine months of any year since 2006.
NHTSA also reported that speed-related fatalities increased by 17% in 2020. With this in mind, officers will be specifically focused on identifying and targeting drivers who are speeding during Operation Safe Driver Week.
In support of this important initiative, we’ve covered the costly dangers of speeding and how companies can proactively combat it across their fleet.
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7 Fundamentals of Effective Defensive Driving
The Dangers of Speeding
Speeding is one of the top causes of crashes. According to NHTSA, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities for over 20 years. In 2020, it was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities.
Speeding violations are also known to be leading indicators of future crashes. Our recent crash prediction study correlated MVR events with insurance claims. The results below give a clear indication as to which violations are the best leading indicators of future crashes.
We found that if an employee driver receives a violation for speeding, it increases the probability of a claim within the next year by at least 22.1%. With this in mind, it’s important for companies to monitor violations and intervene with drivers who are caught speeding before a future crash occurs.
Combat Speeding Across Your Fleet
Speed can affect safety even when your company drivers are mindful of the speed limit. Drivers also need to be aware of how to handle their speed in situations such as bad weather, when a road is under repair or in an area at night that isn’t well lit. Knowing how to manage and choose the right speed based on specific conditions can give drivers time to take appropriate action and avoid a collision. Defensive driving training is a great way to help strengthen your drivers’ decision-making when it comes to speed.
With the right online driver safety training program, your drivers can improve their understanding of:
- Choosing the best speed for specific conditions
- Handling traction and poor road conditions
- Dealing with aggressive drivers
- Managing hills and curves
>> Check Out Our Online Driver Training Course Catalog <<
Dealing with bad driving behavior such as speeding is all about developing the right mindset and skills. That’s why cultivating a culture of safety with online training is so integral.
To find out where to start, download our free checklist, “7 Fundamentals of Effective Defensive Driving.”
