Law enforcement targets risky driving during Operation Safe Driver Week next week

Motorists across the U.S. can expect to see an increased law enforcement presence on the roads during Operation Safe Driver Week, taking place next week, according to New Britain Township Police. 

The national safety campaign is focused on reducing dangerous driving behaviors among both commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and passenger vehicle drivers.

Throughout the week, officers will be on high alert for drivers engaging in speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and failure to use seat belts. Those identified will be stopped and either cited or issued a warning. The initiative emphasizes that proactive interactions between drivers and law enforcement can help deter high-risk behaviors and ultimately save lives.

Statistics paint a troubling picture of road safety in the U.S.:

• Speeding has played a role in more than 25% of crash-related deaths every year since 2008. In 2018 alone, speeding contributed to 9,378 fatalities — more than 25 deaths per day.
• Distracted driving was responsible for 3,142 deaths in 2019.
• Among the 22,215 passenger vehicle occupants who died in 2019, 47% were not wearing seat belts.
• Seat belts are estimated to have saved 14,955 lives in 2017 and could have saved another 2,549 if they had been used.
• Drunk driving killed 10,142 people in 2019 — about one death every 52 minutes.

Officials also urge passenger vehicle drivers to remember their responsibility on the road. When sharing lanes with large trucks and buses, one key message is clear: "If a larger truck or bus hits you, you will lose."

By targeting unsafe driving through enforcement and education during Operation Safe Driver Week, agencies aim to reduce the risk for all road users and keep highways safer for everyone.