Operation Safe Driver: statistics show the importance of road safety

Operation Safe Driver is a CVSA program aimed at reducing risky driving behaviors through education

Operation Safe Driver is a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) program aimed at reducing risky driving behaviors through education. It focuses on both passenger and commercial vehicle drivers, educating them on shared road safety and regulations. It also raises public awareness about safe operations involving commercial vehicles.

The importance of this program is underscored by data on traffic accidents caused by lack of road caution, resulting in fatalities. According to information from CVSA, speeding has been responsible for over a quarter of fatal accidents since 2008. Additionally, the following statistics are revealed:

Speeding contributed to 26% of all traffic accident deaths in 2018, resulting in 9,378 fatalities, averaging over 25 deaths daily.
Distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,142 people in 2019.
In 2019, 47% of the 22,215 passenger vehicle occupants who died were not wearing seat belts.
10,142 people lost their lives due to drunk driving in 2019.

The program focuses on drivers because their actions, whether speeding or driving distracted, are responsible for the majority of accidents, accounting for a staggering 94% of all traffic collisions. In 2023, out of a total of 18,875 commercial vehicles inspected, 12.6% were taken off the roads due to violations discovered by inspectors.

Distracted driving: a threat to road safety

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traffic accident deaths showed a downward trend in the first quarter of 2024, with a 3% decrease compared to the previous year.

However, distracted driving remains a significant issue in road safety. A recent study by Cambridge Mobile Telematics revealed a notable increase in distracted driving. From 2020 to 2022, this type of driving increased by 20%. Key metrics such as phone movement and screen interactions showed increases of 21% and 23%, respectively. Drivers most prone to distraction are over 240% more likely to be involved in accidents compared to safer drivers.

The report also highlighted that last year, drivers interacted with their phones during nearly 58% of trips, with over a third of these distractions occurring at speeds exceeding 80 km/h, the highest rate in the past three years.

This year, Operation Safe Driver Week will take place from July 7 to 13 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. During this week, drivers of both commercial and passenger vehicles displaying dangerous behaviors such as speeding, distracted driving, unsafe following, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be monitored. Offenders may be stopped and receive warnings or citations from the appropriate authorities, all aimed at improving road safety.