July's Operation Safe Driver Week looking for speeders

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Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, April 7, 2021: 

Operation Safe Driver Week set for July with focus on speeding 
This year’s Operation Safe Driver Week will be held July 11-17 with an emphasis on speeding, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced Tuesday.

During the week, law enforcement personnel will be on the lookout for truck drivers and passenger car drivers engaging in risky driving behaviors in or around commercial vehicles. Identified unsafe drivers will be pulled over and issued a citation or warning.

"Data shows that traffic stops and interactions with law enforcement help reduce problematic driving behaviors," said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. "By making contact with drivers during Operation Safe Driver Week, law enforcement personnel aim to make our roadways safer by targeting high-risk driving behaviors."

CVSA selected speeding as its focus this year because, despite a drop in roadway travel last year due to the pandemic, nationally, traffic fatalities increased. According to the National Safety Council's (NSC) preliminary estimates, the estimated rate of death on roads last year increased 24% over the previous 12-month period, despite miles driven dropping 13%.

In addition to speeding, law enforcement will be tracking other dangerous driver behaviors throughout Operation Safe Driver Week, including reckless or aggressive driving, distracted driving, following too closely, improper lane change, failure to obey traffic control devices, failure to use a seat belt, evidence of drunk or drugged driving and more.

Last year, truck drivers received more than 10,000 warnings and citations for various unsafe driving behaviors during Operation Safe Driver Week. Speeding was the most common traffic violation for truckers during last year’s enforcement spree, which resulted in 2,339 citations and 3,423 warnings.

Paccar taps Romeo Power as BEV supplier
Paccar and Romeo Power announced an agreement Tuesday in which Romeo will provide battery packs, modules and battery management systems for Paccar’s battery-electric vehicles.

Under the agreement, Romeo Power will be a battery supplier for Peterbilt 579 and 520 BEVs in the United States and Canada through 2025. The start of production is anticipated to begin after 2021.

“Paccar is committed to industry-leading quality and innovation,” said Darrin Siver, Paccar Senior Vice President. “Romeo Power’s battery technology solutions will enable Paccar to deliver state-of-the-art transportation solutions that enhance customers’ operations and environmental impact. We are pleased to enter into a long-term supply agreement with Romeo Power as they are paving the way for cost-effective electrification within the commercial vehicle sector.”