The bigger they are…

By The Daily Progress

Published: October 21, 2008

Three cheers for the Virginia State Police, teaming up with other organizations this week to implement Operation Safe Driver.

The education, enforcement and safety campaign is aimed at all drivers.
However, commercial drivers will come under special scrutiny — both because their occupation requires them to meet special standards, and because any error by an operator of a large vehicle could be catastrophic.

State police will step up their review of drivers’ log books, hours of service and licensing. Last year, nearly 600 of the more than 3,000 drivers inspected were put out of service because of problems like this that were uncovered.
Police Capt. Ronald Sanders says there have been more than 2,100 commercial vehicle crashes in Virginia this year, most due to driver error.
Nationally, the trucking industry says commercial trucks have good safety records compared to passenger vehicles.

Still, when a large truck comes in contact with a car, it’s the car and its driver and passengers who stand to suffer most. That’s why commercial trucks and drivers have to meet higher standards.
Of course, drivers of passenger vehicles also create dangers. Practices such as cutting too sharply in front a truck after passing can cause deadly accidents.
“Every driver must do [his] part to ensure safety on our highways and roads,” said John H. Hill, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Operation Safe Driver is being conducted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.