Operation Safe Driver Week is an annual event that the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance holds in the effort to reduce car crash numbers. For one week out of the year, police in North Carolina and across the U.S. as well as Canada intensify their enforcement of traffic laws. For 2019, the event will be held from July 14 to 20.
Both passenger vehicle and commercial vehicle drivers will want to take note. Police will be checking for any signs of negligent driving, including distracted, drunk and drugged driving. They will also stop drivers who make improper lane changes, do not wear their seatbelt, do not obey traffic control devices, fail to keep a safe distance from vehicles and so on. Above all, though, they will be checking for speeders.
Speeding has been involved in nearly one-third of all car crash fatalities for the past 20 years, according to CVSA representatives. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that speeding factored into 94% of traffic crashes in 2015 and 26% of traffic fatalities in 2017.
Some question whether increased enforcement can help prevent car crashes. The CVSA studied this back in 2014, and the results confirmed its position. “Click It or Ticket” is one enforcement program that has helped reduce car crash numbers by 11%.
Still, many drivers will likely go on to speed, thinking it is acceptable if police are not around. Truckers speed, too, and are liable to cause more severe accidents as a result. Victims of such accidents may want to see an attorney who works in truck accident law. This is crucial because North Carolina bars plaintiffs from recovering damages if they are even 1% to blame for a crash. If the case appears to be strong, the lawyer may proceed to negotiations.