Each year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance sponsors Operation Safe Driver Week to promote awareness among commercial and passenger car drivers regarding negative driver behavior. Although the CVSA is an organization that focuses on commercial vehicle safety, it recognizes that safety on California roadways and throughout the nation depends on all drivers, in all types of vehicles, adhering to the rules of the road.
According to the CVSA, 94% of all vehicle crashes involve some contribution of driver behavior. If, through the issuance of the 46,752 citations and 87,624 warnings made during this year’s Operation safe Driver Week, accidents involving semi-trucks and tractor-trailers can be reduced, everyone wins. Speeding, including violation of the basic speed law and driving too fast for the road conditions, was the number one violation for which commercial drivers were cited. Others high on the list included failure to wear a seat belt, failure to obey a traffic control device, use of a handheld phone and improper lane change.
Passenger drivers were cited for speeding, failure to wear a seat belt, failure to obey a traffic control device, careless or reckless driving and possession or use of alcohol or drugs. It is noteworthy that failure to wear a seat belt was the second most cited offense by both types of drivers. Properly wearing a seat belt is the single most effective thing drivers and passengers can do to protect themselves.
A driver who drive in an unreasonable manner under the circumstances, no matter the reason, may be liable for injuries caused. Crashes involving a commercial truck are inherently more complicated. A personal injury lawyer may assist in sorting out the potential liabilities of the various parties.