The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has released the results of Operation Safe Driver Week 2025, held from July 13–19 across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. During the weeklong initiative, law enforcement officers stopped 8,739 vehicles, issuing 2,504 citations and 3,575 warnings for a variety of unsafe driving behaviors.
The annual campaign aims to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities by targeting high-risk driving through enforcement, education, and outreach, focusing on both commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and passenger vehicle (PV) drivers.
Focus of 2025 Blitz
This year’s enforcement spotlight was on reckless, careless, and inattentive driving, resulting in 20 citations and 53 warnings. Specifically:
CMV drivers received 12 citations and 47 warnings
PV drivers were issued 8 tickets and 6 warnings
These infractions reflect behaviors such as operating with disregard for the safety of people or property, lack of attention, or endangering others on the road—actions that often precede serious collisions.
Speeding Tops the List
Speeding dominated the enforcement data across both driver categories during Operation Safe Driver Week. This year:
CMV drivers were issued 491 citations and 1,073 warnings
PV drivers received 416 citations and 176 warnings
With a combined 2,156 commercial and passenger vehicle drivers flagged for speed-related infractions, the message is clear: speeding continues to be a major threat to roadway safety.
Drivers who exceed speed limits reduce their ability to spot and react to hazards like pedestrians, animals, or slow-moving traffic. At higher speeds, controlling the vehicle around obstacles or in adverse weather becomes more difficult, and collisions are more severe, significantly increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Seat Belts Often Ignored
Failure to wear a seat belt accounted for 483 enforcement actions:
CMV drivers received 248 citations and 204 warnings
PV drivers were given 16 tickets and 15 warnings
These figures underscore an ongoing safety concern. A properly worn seat belt is not only essential for protecting the driver but also everyone else sharing the road. In the event of a sudden stop or collision, a seat belt keeps the driver securely positioned behind the wheel, helping them maintain control of the vehicle and reducing the risk of greater harm.
Distracted Driving Caught In the Act
Texting or using handheld devices while driving was another frequently observed offense during Operation Safe Driver Week 2025:
79 citations and 107 warnings were issued to CMV drivers
PV drivers received 37 citations and 22 warnings
That adds up to 245 enforcement actions for this dangerous driving behavior.
For commercial drivers, using a handheld mobile device behind the wheel is not just risky, it is a direct violation of federal regulations. Offenders face steep fines, negative impacts on their Safety Measurement System (SMS) scores, and even disqualification.
Substance Violations a Major Threat
Enforcement personnel also identified 46 instances of drivers operating under the influence or in possession of drugs or alcohol throughout this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week:
CMV drivers: 22 citations, 14 warnings
PV drivers: 5 citations, 4 warnings
Driving under the influence severely impairs critical skills like judgment, coordination, and reaction time, putting everyone on the road at risk.
For commercial drivers, drug and alcohol violations are recorded in FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and results in “prohibited” status until the return-to-duty process is successfully completed. The Clearinghouse has logged more than 346,000 violations since launching in January 2020.
Other Dangerous Behaviors
In addition to the categories above, officers also cited drivers for a range of other unsafe behaviors during this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week, including:
Disobeying traffic control devices
Failing to stop at railroad crossings
Failing to yield right-of-way
Following too closely
Improper lane changes
Improper passing
Improper turns
Operating a CMV while fatigued or ill
Using/equipping a CMV with radar/laser detector
Looking Ahead
The next Operation Safe Driver Week is scheduled for July 12–18, 2026. Until then, motor carriers, commercial drivers, and passenger vehicle drivers are encouraged to prioritize safe driving practices every day—not just during enforcement campaigns.
