Law enforcement agencies will be stepping up traffic safety enforcement and education aimed at unsafe driving behaviors for Operation Safe Driver Week, a week-long event sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. 

Operation Safe Driver Week takes place from Oct. 19-25 and is aimed at drivers of commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles. Activities will be held in the U.S., Canada and Mexico to increase traffic enforcement, safety belt enforcement, driver roadside inspections and regulatory compliance.

There will be an official kickoff event on Monday, Oct. 20, with a press conference and safety demonstrations in Denver, Colo., to officially launch the event. There will also be an event on the 20^th in Hammonton, N.J., and one on the 24^th in Grand Prairie, Texas.

“This coordinated and far-reaching enforcement effort, coupled with the program's education and awareness components for drivers of all vehicles, focuses on unsafe driving behaviors, which translates to fewer accidents and fatalities,” said Captain Bill Reese of the Idaho State Police.

Education will also be a focus and law enforcement and transportation safety officials will offer safety programs to commercial and public drivers.  

Last year’s Operation Safe Driver Week saw officers stop 74,765 commercial and passenger vehicles nearly triple the amount from the year before. The three most common reasons for traffic stops were speeding, not wearing a seat belt and failure to obey stoplights and signs.

“Operation Safe Driver emphasizes the importance of everyone sharing the road safely,” said Scott Darling, acting administrator of FMCSA. “Be courteous and never allow yourself to become distracted while behind the vehicle.“

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