For more information, contact:
Captain David Pabst, Wisconsin State Patrol
(608) 266-0305, david.pabst@dot.wi.gov
Intensified traffic safety enforcement from October 14 to 20
To prevent traffic crashes involving large trucks, buses and other commercial motor vehicles, Wisconsin State Patrol motor carrier inspectors will participate in Operation Safe Driver from Sunday, October 14, to Saturday, October 20.
Sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, the mission of Operation Safe Driver is to improve the behavior, habits and decision-making of commercial motor vehicle operators and all other motorists on the road through traffic safety law enforcement and education.
During Operation Safe Driver, State Patrol inspectors and other law enforcement officers throughout North America will be cracking down on violations such as speeding, following too close, improper lane changes, failure to obey traffic signs and impaired driving by all motorists. Commercial motor vehicle drivers will be checked for compliance with license requirements as well as regulations governing medical card and hours of service standards.
“Lives can be saved and injuries prevented by reducing irresponsible and dangerous driving behavior like speeding, tailgating and aggressive driving by all motorists as well as ensuring commercial motor vehicle drivers are in compliance with all regulations,” says State Patrol Captain David Pabst of the Motor Carrier Enforcement Section. “In fatal crashes between cars and large trucks, driver error by the car driver, truck driver, or both is to blame 88 percent of the time.”
A combination of effective law enforcement and safety education has helped improve commercial motor vehicle safety in Wisconsin during the last 10 years. In 2011, large truck crashes declined approximately 25 percent compared with 2002. Moreover, large-truck crash fatalities dropped from 127 in 2002 to 75 in 2011, which was a 41 percent reduction.
