Speeding most frequently cited violation during Operation Safe Driver Week

Greenbelt, MD — Law enforcement officials issued more than 27,000 citations and warnings to drivers during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Operation Safe Driver Week.

From July 11 to July 17, law enforcement officials throughout North America remained on the lookout for passenger and commercial motor vehicle drivers engaging in unsafe behaviors such as speeding, following too closely, driving distracted, making improper lane changes, failing to wear a seat belt and driving while impaired.

Citations and warnings related to speeding were most common among both groups of drivers. CMV drivers received 1,690 citations and 2,549 warnings for speeding. Passenger vehicle drivers were assessed 9,349 citations and 2,929 warnings related to speeding.

The next most common citations issued to CMV drivers were failure to wear a seat belt (1,225), failure to obey traffic control device (522), texting/using a handheld phone (344) and improper lane change (112).

Among passenger vehicle drivers, the next most common citations were failure to wear a seat belt (1,355), distracted driving/using a handheld phone (573), possession/use/under influence of alcohol or drugs (428), and failure to obey a traffic control device (336).

“Since we know that most crashes are caused by drivers, the best way to prevent crashes is to start with the cause – drivers,” CVSA President John Broers said in a press release. “If seeing a patrol car causes a driver to slow down in a high-risk crash area of the roadway, then we’ll put patrol cars in that area. If being stopped by an officer causes that driver to be more conscientious, then our officers will pull over unsafe drivers. We will continue to do our part to make our roadways as safe as possible.”