Every year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) organizes Operation Safe Driver Week to address unsafe driving behaviors among commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and passenger vehicle drivers alike. In 2025, this high-impact initiative returns with a renewed focus on safety enforcement, education, and awareness.
This blog post outlines everything you need to know about CVSA Operation Safe Driver Week 2025—including what it is, what to expect, how to prepare, and why it matters.
Operation Safe Driver Week is an annual, targeted enforcement and education campaign spearheaded by the CVSA in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), state and local law enforcement, and industry organizations. The goal is to curb unsafe driving behaviors through high-visibility enforcement and proactive outreach.
According to the CVSA, nearly 94% of all traffic crashes are caused by driver behavior. Operation Safe Driver Week aims to address exactly that.
🗓 In 2025, Operation Safe Driver Week is scheduled for July 13–19.
🎯 This year’s focus: Speeding and distracted driving.
While vehicle maintenance and road conditions play a role in crash statistics, driver behavior remains the leading cause of collisions—especially among commercial drivers who log hundreds of miles per day.
Unsafe behaviors like speeding, distracted driving, tailgating, failure to use seat belts, and impaired driving pose significant risks not only to the drivers themselves but also to everyone on the road.
During Operation Safe Driver Week, law enforcement officers nationwide will focus on identifying and intervening in these high-risk behaviors.
Law enforcement agencies across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will engage in the following activities during the week:
Increased patrols on highways, rural roads, and urban centers
Roadside inspections for both commercial and passenger vehicles
Issuance of citations or warnings for violations such as:
Speeding
Distracted driving (e.g., mobile phone use)
Following too closely
Improper lane changes
Failure to obey traffic control devices
Seat belt violations
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
To see a breakdown of enforcement activity from previous years, visit the CVSA Operation Safe Driver Week Results page.
Understanding the scope of this initiative is easier with some data:
In 2023, more than 11,500 commercial motor vehicle drivers were pulled over during Operation Safe Driver Week.
Speeding was the most-cited violation, making up more than 25% of all infractions.
Other top violations included failure to wear a seatbelt, using a handheld device, and inattentive driving.
Enforcement is not limited to commercial drivers—passenger vehicle drivers are often cited at even higher rates.
You can find more data in the FMCSA Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts report.
Preparation for Operation Safe Driver Week starts with education and continues with policy enforcement and training. Here are some key steps to take:
Make sure all drivers are up to date with their training—especially regarding:
Speed management and space awareness
Mobile device policies and hands-free requirements
Hours of service (HOS) compliance
Emergency maneuvering and hazard perception
The National Safety Council (NSC) offers resources on driver safety and training techniques.
Fleet managers should audit their current policies and procedures, ensuring they align with federal and state safety regulations, including:
OSHA’s standards for workplace safety
Internal policies on distracted driving and speed limits
If these policies are outdated or not enforced consistently, now’s the time to act.
Ensure drivers are completing daily pre-trip inspections and that vehicle maintenance logs are up to date. Consider implementing random internal audits or check-ins leading up to Safe Driver Week.
Encourage open discussions around near-misses, driver fatigue, and stress management. A fleet that communicates well about risks is far better positioned to reduce incidents.
Organizations like Truckers Against Trafficking also offer important educational components that promote overall road awareness and driver responsibility.
Operation Safe Driver Week also targets non-commercial drivers—especially those engaging in risky behavior around large trucks and buses.
Some key reminders for passenger vehicle drivers:
Avoid cutting in front of large trucks—remember, they take longer to stop.
Never drive in a truck’s blind spot.
Always use turn signals and avoid aggressive lane changes.
Do not text or use handheld devices while driving.
In addition to manual enforcement and driver education, many companies are leveraging telematics and dash cams to monitor unsafe behaviors. These technologies can:
Detect speeding and harsh braking events
Record incidents for coaching purposes
Promote driver accountability
Alert management to recurring behavior trends
Vendors like Samsara, Geotab, and KeepTruckin (now Motive) provide modern fleet safety tools that can make a measurable difference during enforcement-heavy periods.
The value of Operation Safe Driver Week extends far beyond the seven-day campaign. For many companies, it serves as a catalyst to improve safety training, audit policies, and reduce crash risk year-round.
After the week ends, consider:
Hosting a post-campaign debrief with your drivers
Analyzing internal telematics data for red flags
Implementing new training modules for repeat violations
Continuing partnerships with safety organizations
The goal is to create sustainable, ongoing improvements, not just one-off changes in behavior.
CVSA Operation Safe Driver Week 2025 is more than just a spotlight on enforcement—it’s a call to action for everyone on the road. Whether you manage a fleet of trucks or drive a passenger vehicle, this initiative offers an opportunity to reflect, retrain, and reduce risk.
🚛 Safe drivers are made—not born. It takes education, culture, and accountability.
Sentry Road can help your organization prepare with targeted training, compliance guidance, and scalable safety programs. From driver coaching to corrective action modules, we’re here to support your commitment to a safer road ahead.
👉 Contact us today to learn how we can help you prepare for CVSA Operation Safe Driver Week 2025—and beyond.