It’s always important to drive safely, make sure your equipment is up to snuff, and follow the rules, but it’s doubly important when there’s a nationwide awareness blitz. And, well, it’s that time of year again. The CVSA’s annual Operation Safe Driver has begun. From October 14th through October 20th, thousands of law enforcement officers will be making it a priority to check truckers for safety compliance issues.
This means that they’ll be looking more closely at your equipment during a stop, checking to make sure your medical card, license and certifications are up to date, and double and triple checking your driving logs to make sure you’re keeping to your legal hours of service. Things that they’ll be keeping a look out for are speeding, following too close, driving while impaired, failure to obey traffic signs, and improper lane changes.
This is a nationwide initiative, but some states are more serious about their commitment to Operation Safe Driver than others. Wisconsin, Florida, New Mexico, and Washington State have all issued statements announcing their dedication to the week. Last year in Washington State alone during only one week, law enforcement officers carried out 2,117 commercial motor vehicle inspections. Out of service orders were issued for 173 vehicles and 76 drivers.
So remember, stay sharp, do your inspections, make sure all your documentation is up to date, keep your head on a swivel , and as always, drive safe.
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Source: etrucker
RE: Operation Safe Driver says
I like the safety part, but this sounds like more threats to the driver again. Force the driver to drive safely all for the sake of safety, or is it more money for the CSA. I’m sure many will agree who have gone through one of the CSA inspections; it’s all crap. For example, I remember getting a ticket because I simply had a little marker ID light that burned out on the truck. So, my truck was singled out and a full scale inspection of nearly all parts of the truck. It was 45 minutes later and all that he could be seen on this new truck was one single ID marker light. Uh huh.
I’m proud to say during this week of October 14 through October 20, I had scheduled in advance a one week paid vacation. (Not this time CSA). I’m for safety and all, but I also know when the drivers are being scammed again.
Barry Burton Jr. says
I understand we have to have regulations to keep the cowboys & dumbasses in check but these law enforcement folks take it WAY to far sometimes. I can see if you have NO brake lights or turn signals, at which point you should be made to get it fixed, but a simple stupid marker light!?! C’mon!! If your truck is an obvious safety hazard, then, by all means, you should be fined. However, the simple stuff is now a HUGE crime thanks to this CSA crap. Let’s think about conditioned response for a minute. The military teaches it to soldiers for obvious reasons. You mean to tell me that I have not learned it in my 20 years of driving truck? I drive subcontiously (sp), and I know when I’m tired and have had enough. What about when I take a 4 hour nap waiting to get loaded but that goes against my 14? True BULLSHIT!!!