From July 12–18, law enforcement agencies across North America will participate in Operation Safe Driver Week, an annual traffic safety initiative led by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance to reduce unsafe driving behaviors through education and targeted traffic enforcement.

Throughout the week, officers will be watching for both commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers engaging in unsafe behaviors. Drivers observed violating traffic laws may receive a warning or citation, with the ultimate goal of encouraging safer driving habits and reducing crashes.

This year's campaign will place special emphasis on reckless, careless, and dangerous driving—operating a vehicle without due care or attention or without reasonable consideration for other motorists. These behaviors can include excessive speeding, aggressive lane changes, following too closely, distracted driving, failure to obey traffic control devices, and other actions that put everyone on the road at risk.

The focus reflects a continuing safety concern. In the United States, speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2024, claiming 11,288 lives. Distracted driving resulted in 3,208 fatalities, while nearly half of passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts.

Professional truck drivers spend more time on the road than almost anyone else and understand that safe driving requires constant attention, patience, and sound judgment. At the same time, safe highways depend on every motorist making responsible decisions behind the wheel. Passenger vehicles and commercial trucks share the same roads every day, and avoiding distractions, maintaining safe following distances, obeying speed limits, wearing seat belts, and driving courteously help protect everyone.

The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association encourages motor carriers to use Operation Safe Driver Week as an opportunity to reinforce company safety expectations with their drivers. Reviewing defensive driving practices, distracted driving policies, seat belt use, and procedures for interacting professionally with law enforcement can help strengthen a company's overall safety culture.

PMTA also remains committed to improving highway safety through education. PMTA's Road Team—a group of professional truck drivers recognized for their safe driving records and commitment to the industry—travels throughout the Commonwealth speaking with students, community organizations, and the public about how to share the road safely with large trucks. Through hands-on demonstrations and educational programs, the Road Team helps motorists better understand truck blind spots, stopping distances, turning requirements, and other factors that can prevent crashes. By promoting awareness and encouraging mutual respect between commercial drivers and passenger vehicle motorists, PMTA works year-round to make Pennsylvania's highways safer for everyone.

While enforcement efforts will be heightened during Operation Safe Driver Week, the message extends well beyond a single week in July. Safe driving is a year-round commitment. PMTA supports initiatives that promote responsible driving behaviors and improve safety for commercial drivers, passenger vehicle motorists, and everyone who travels Pennsylvania's roadways.

CVSA provides materials targeting Commercial Motor Vehicle drivers and resources for Teens and New Drivers on its website.