This year’s campaign will focus on reckless, careless, and dangerous driving. According to CVSA, officers will stop commercial and passenger vehicles observed committing unsafe driving violations, with drivers receiving warnings or citations based on the circumstances.

While reckless driving is the primary emphasis, enforcement won’t be limited to a single violation. Speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, impaired driving, seat belt violations, and failure to obey traffic control devices remain common reasons drivers are stopped during the annual campaign.

The enforcement effort typically results in thousands of roadside contacts. During last year’s Operation Safe Driver Week, officers across the U.S. and Canada stopped 8,739 vehicles, issuing 1,839 citations and 3,230 warnings to commercial drivers. Passenger vehicle drivers received an additional 665 citations and 345 warnings.

Unlike the International Roadcheck, which concentrates on vehicle inspections and regulatory compliance, Operation Safe Driver Week focuses on driver behavior. For professional drivers, that means enforcement can occur anywhere along a route—not just at weigh stations or inspection sites.

Operation Safe Driver Week begins Sunday, July 12, and continues through Saturday, July 18.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: July 10, 2026

Source: Truckers News

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The annual enforcement initiative applies to both commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers. During the week, law enforcement will be watching for unsafe driving behaviors such as speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, fatigued or drowsy driving, unsafe lane changes, impaired driving, failure to wear a seat belt, and disregarding traffic signals.

This year’s focus is on reckless, careless, or dangerous driving.

What Officers Will Be Watching For

Operation Safe Driver Week is focused on driver behavior on the road. CVSA said reckless driving involves operating a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property. Careless or dangerous driving involves operating without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for others on the road.

For truck drivers, that means common moving violations may draw additional attention throughout the week, especially behavior that appears aggressive, rushed, distracted, or unsafe in traffic.

States Flagged for Higher Moving Violation Shares

Overdrive, citing RigDig analysis of federal data, reported that moving violations recorded on inspection reports still account for a relatively small percentage of total violations nationwide. That share increased from just over 6% in 2023 to almost 8% in 2025.

The same analysis found that some states had much higher shares of moving violations on inspection reports. Delaware, Indiana, Georgia, and West Virginia were listed among the highest, with moving violations making up more than 20% of inspection report violations in those states.

That does not mean enforcement will only be concentrated in those states during Operation Safe Driver Week. The campaign is conducted across North America, but drivers who regularly run those states may want to be especially aware of speed, lane changes, following distance, and other moving violations during the July enforcement period.

What Happened During Last Year’s Campaign

During 2025 Operation Safe Driver Week, more than 8,700 vehicles were pulled over. Officers issued more than 2,500 tickets or citations and more than 3,500 warnings for unsafe driving infractions.

Commercial motor vehicle drivers received 3,230 warnings and 1,839 tickets or citations. Passenger vehicle drivers received 345 warnings and 665 tickets or citations.

Although the campaign applies to both cars and trucks, those 2025 numbers show commercial drivers accounted for most of the warnings and citations issued during last year’s initiative.

What Drivers Should Keep in Mind Before July 12

Operation Safe Driver Week is not a vehicle inspection event, but a traffic stop can still create problems for a driver if unsafe driving behavior is observed.

Before the campaign begins, drivers may want to pay closer attention to:

speed changes near work zones, towns, and metro areas
following distance in heavy traffic
lane changes near exits, merges, and construction zones
phone use or other distractions
seat belt use
fatigue after delays, early starts, or overnight schedules

The weeklong effort is meant to combine enforcement, education, and driver interaction with law enforcement. CVSA said driver-related behaviors are largely preventable, making them a key focus for reducing crashes, injuries, and deaths on the road.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last Updated: June 29, 2026

Source: Overdrive

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The 2026 initiative is scheduled for July 12 through July 18 and will involve law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico focusing on unsafe driving behavior involving both commercial vehicles and passenger traffic.

Drivers stopped during the campaign could receive warnings or citations depending on the violation observed by enforcement officers.

This Year’s Campaign Focuses on Reckless Driving

CVSA said reckless, careless, and dangerous driving behavior will be the primary focus during this year’s enforcement period.

The organization describes reckless driving as operating a vehicle with disregard for the safety of people or property. Careless driving generally refers to driving without proper attention or consideration for surrounding traffic conditions.

Enforcement personnel may target violations involving:

Speeding
Distracted driving
Following too closely
Unsafe lane changes
Fatigued driving
Impaired driving
Seat belt violations
Ignoring traffic signals

For truck drivers, the campaign often leads to heavier enforcement visibility along major freight routes, urban bottlenecks, construction zones, and interstate corridors carrying heavy summer traffic.

Passenger vehicle behavior around trucks also remains a major concern during these campaigns. Sudden merges, aggressive passing, distracted driving, and unsafe following distance continue to create problems for commercial drivers trying to maintain safe stopping space in dense traffic.

Summer Traffic Usually Creates More Pressure on Drivers

Operation Safe Driver Week arrives during one of the busiest travel stretches of the year. Vacation traffic, road construction, seasonal congestion, and tighter delivery schedules can all increase pressure behind the wheel during midsummer runs.

Many experienced truck drivers already adjust their driving habits during large enforcement campaigns by slowing down earlier in congestion, increasing following distance, and avoiding unnecessary lane changes around heavy traffic clusters.

The campaign is not limited strictly to ticketing activity. CVSA said education and public awareness also remain major parts of the initiative. The organization distributes roadway safety materials aimed at both commercial drivers and passenger vehicle traffic to encourage safer driving habits overall.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 36,640 people died in traffic crashes across the United States during 2025. CVSA said reducing unsafe driver behavior remains one of the most effective ways to improve roadway safety and lower crash totals.

For many truck drivers, Operation Safe Driver Week serves as another reminder that staying patient, leaving extra space, and avoiding rushed decisions usually matters far more than trying to gain a few extra minutes during a run.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information drivers can use.

Last updated: May 18, 2026

Source: The Trucker

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Each year, the CVSA hosts this campaign to help improve how people drive—not just through enforcement, but by encouraging meaningful conversations between drivers and officers and spreading education where it matters most. This year’s focus? Reckless driving.

As CVSA puts it, reckless driving includes any action behind the wheel that shows “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” That means speeding, texting while driving, tailgating, or getting behind the wheel under the influence could land drivers in trouble. Expect everything from warnings to full citations if you’re caught making risky choices behind the wheel.

Why This Week Matters

The numbers tell a sobering story. In 2023 alone, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 40,901 traffic-related deaths in the U.S.—only a slight dip from 42,721 the year before. Canada saw 1,931 roadway fatalities in 2022, while Mexico reported a staggering 15,979 deaths that same year.

Operation Safe Driver Week is one way CVSA is working to improve those numbers. The initiative isn’t just about catching drivers in the act—it’s about preventing crashes from happening in the first place.

Enforcement Meets Education

Although enforcement is a major piece of the puzzle, this campaign is also rooted in public education. CVSA is rolling out tools and materials that reach drivers of all kinds—from those just learning to drive to seasoned professionals behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. The organization also distributes public service announcements and downloadable resources to help spread key safety reminders far and wide.

Operation Safe Driver Week combines targeted enforcement with proactive outreach to help drivers slow down, stay focused, and make better decisions on the road.

How to Learn More

Drivers, fleet managers, and safety advocates can all take part in this effort. For educational materials, enforcement details, and downloadable resources to help raise awareness in your community, head over to the CVSA website.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

The post Operation Safe Driver Week Set for July 13–19 with Focus on Dangerous Driving Behaviors appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

During Operation Safe Driver Week, a coordinated initiative focused on promoting safer roads, law enforcement in the U.S. and Canada issued more than 4,000 citations and warnings to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators. The campaign, which ran from July 7-13, also led to nearly 2,000 similar violations being issued to passenger vehicle drivers.

This initiative aimed at curbing unsafe behaviors had officers recording 2,439 warnings and 1,583 citations for CMV drivers. Passenger vehicle operators received 789 warnings and 1,129 citations/tickets for their driving practices.

The priority for this year’s campaign was addressing reckless, careless, and dangerous driving. A total of 31 citations and five warnings were issued for such offenses. Reckless driving is defined as operating a vehicle with a willful disregard for the safety of others or property, while careless or dangerous driving involves failing to exercise due attention or consideration for others on the road.

Speeding Tops the List of Infractions

Speed-related offenses were the most frequently cited violations during the safety initiative. Across both commercial and passenger vehicles, 1,694 warnings and 1,226 citations were issued. Specifically:

• CMV drivers accounted for 1,221 warnings and 502 citations.

• Passenger vehicle drivers received 473 warnings and 724 citations.

This underscores the significant role of speeding in creating hazardous road conditions.

Seat Belt Non-Compliance a Common Offense Among CMV Drivers

Failure to wear a seat belt emerged as another major issue during the enforcement week. A total of 354 warnings and 554 citations were issued, most of which were directed at truck drivers:

• CMV drivers received 328 warnings and 473 citations for not wearing seat belts.

• According to the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), approximately 14% of CMV operators fail to use seat belts, highlighting the persistent non-compliance within the trucking industry.

Operation Safe Driver Week serves as a critical effort to increase awareness and accountability around unsafe driving behaviors, helping to create safer roads for everyone.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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