Speeding Leads Trucking Citations During Latest CVSA Enforcement Campaign

Speed violations top trucker citations in CVSA campaign

Speeding was the most frequently cited violation among commercial motor vehicle drivers during this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week, according to results released by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance in early October.

Law enforcement officers from 36 U.S. states, seven Canadian provinces and Mexico interacted with 8,083 drivers during the July 12-18 campaign. The annual initiative targets unsafe driving behaviors involving both commercial and passenger vehicles through roadside enforcement, driver interactions and safety education.

Officers issued 1,956 tickets and citations to commercial vehicle drivers, along with 3,409 warnings. Passenger vehicle drivers received 648 tickets or citations and 559 warnings.

Across both driver groups, authorities issued 2,604 tickets and citations and 3,968 warnings for unsafe driving. CVSA said officers also used the campaign to speak with drivers about safe driving practices when enforcement action was not warranted.

The results identify speeding as the leading citation category for truck drivers, although CVSA did not provide a specific number of speeding citations in the information released. The campaign also focused on behaviors such as distracted driving, aggressive driving, following too closely, improper lane changes, failing to use a seat belt, impaired driving, fatigued driving and disobeying traffic control devices.

For professional drivers, the findings underscore the enforcement attention given to speed management, particularly during a campaign designed to identify behaviors that can increase crash risk. A citation or warning can also affect a driver’s record, depending on the violation and the jurisdiction where it occurred.

“Participating member jurisdictions devote time, personnel and resources to this initiative because unsafe driving behaviors — such as speeding, distracted driving and aggressive driving — are among the leading causes of roadway crashes in North America,” CVSA said when announcing the findings.

Operation Safe Driver Week is led by CVSA, a nonprofit organization representing commercial motor vehicle safety officials and enforcement agencies in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The campaign was launched in 2007 in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The program is intended to combine enforcement with education rather than focus only on issuing tickets. During the weeklong effort, officers monitor commercial and passenger vehicle traffic for conduct that may contribute to collisions. Drivers identified as operating unsafely may receive a warning, a citation or other enforcement action.

CVSA describes direct contact between officers and drivers as an important part of the initiative. A roadside interaction gives officers an opportunity to address a specific behavior and explain how it can affect the driver, other motorists and roadway safety. It also allows drivers who are not cited to receive a reminder about safe operating practices.

The 2026 campaign centered on reckless, careless and dangerous driving. The broad focus reflects the fact that crashes involving trucks and passenger vehicles can result from a range of behaviors, not only violations related to equipment or vehicle condition.

Speeding remains especially significant for truck drivers because commercial vehicles require more time and distance to slow or stop, and operating conditions can change quickly with traffic, weather, roadway design and cargo. Maintaining an appropriate speed is therefore part of managing space and reacting to hazards, in addition to complying with posted limits.

CVSA said the annual campaign is intended to improve driver behavior through traffic enforcement, direct interaction with law enforcement and public outreach. The organization will announce the dates for the 2027 Operation Safe Driver Week campaign later.