“For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in nearly one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities,” said CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) President Chief Jay Thompson with the Arkansas Highway Police. In 2017, 26% of all traffic fatalities were linked to speeding, according to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) . Speeding of any kind was the most frequent driver-related crash factor for drivers of both commercial and passenger vehicles, according to FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). As such, Speeding will be the focus of this years Operation Safe Driver Week, which will take place from July 14-20.
Operation Safe Driver Week involves more targeted law enforcement on the nation’s highways. Law enforcement may issue a ticket or a warning. During last year’s blitz 16,909 passenger vehicle and 1,908 commercial vehicle drivers were issued citations for speeding. Also, 17 commercial vehicle and 714 passenger vehicle drivers were cited for driving too fast for the conditions.
Operation Safe Driver Week is a good time to discuss the North American Standard Program, lest a driver be pulled over and subsequently placed out of service. This is the roadside inspection process for inspecting commercial vehicles and drivers throughout North America. The program outlines minimum inspection procedures, standards and requirements. Thereby ensuring consistency in compliance, inspections and enforcement. About 4 million commercial motor vehicle inspections are conducted every year throughout North America to ensure the large trucks and buses are operating safely. The 37-step level I inspection procedure is listed below. There are eight levels of inspection. Levels I, V, and VI are the only inspections that may result in issuance of a CVSA decal placed on the vehicle.
A vehicle will be placed out of service if the following systems, devices, components, items or parts fail inspection: brake systems; cargo securement; coupling devices; driveline/driveshaft; exhaust systems; frames; fuel systems; lighting devices (lamp, turn signals, etc.); steering mechanisms; suspensions; tires; van and open-top trailer bodies; wheels, rims and hubs; windshield wipers. For those who operates buses, vans, or other passenger carrying vehicles other items include emergency exits, electrical cables and systems in engine and battery components and seating. A driver may be placed out of service if found to be in violation of operating without proper credentials, in possession of drugs and alcohol (even closed/sealed containers of alcohol are banned from the cabs), or on violation of hours of service.
(Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance)
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