Today kicks off Operation Safe Driving Week in North America and we have compiled a few tips on how you can do your part improving road safety!

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, or CVSA, started Operation Safe Driver Week in 2014. Since it has started, the number of vehicles law enforcement have pulled over has gone down, speeding has decreased by 6.3% and this all results in less accidents on the road [source].

However, there is still one big piece that the CVSA wants to highlight to all driver’s that would help decrease the amount of accidents on the road for both commercial and passenger vehicles.

The single largest factor of traffic crashes are due to distracted driving. The CVSA shared that driver behavior is the critical reason for more than 88% of large truck crashes and 93% of private passenger-vehicle crashes. The main focus of Safe Driving Week is to educate all drivers on ways to improve road safety and that starts with managing or eliminating distractions while on the road.

So, how can you help?

Help defeat distracted driving and improve not only your safety on the road but also the other driver’s around you.

Here are some tips:

• Adjust mirrors and lighting before entering the traffic flow. Maybe even before leaving your driveway.
• Program directions into the GPS before putting your vehicle into gear.
• Eat a healthy meal before you get on the road to avoid eating while driving.
• Turn your cell phone off or put it on silent so it does not distract you while driving (Texting while driving had 23 times more the risk of being involved in an accident )

While we are only recognizing it this week, we hope that everyone practices every time you get on the road.