Law enforcement officers in Canada and the U.S. pulled over 8,739 vehicles during this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week. Officers issued 2,504 tickets/citations and 3,575 warnings to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and passenger vehicle (PV) drivers for unsafe driving infractions.
Operation Safe Driver Week is the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) annual, seven-day safe-driving initiative aimed at improving drivers’ behaviors through traffic-enforcement strategies, interactions with law enforcement, and outreach and awareness campaigns. CVSA’s jurisdictions devote time, personnel and resources to this driver safety initiative because driving behaviors, such as speeding, distracted driving, aggressive driving, etc., are a top cause of roadway crashes.
From July 13 to 19, officers issued 3,230 warnings and 1,839 tickets/citations to commercial motor vehicle drivers, and 345 warnings and 665 tickets/citations to passenger vehicle drivers for various unsafe driving behaviors.
A total of 20 citations and 53 warnings were given to drivers for reckless/careless/inattentive driving, the focus for this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week. Broken out by driver type, 12 citations and 47 warnings were given to commercial motor vehicle drivers, and eight citations and six warnings were given to passenger vehicle drivers.
Reckless/careless/inattentive driving was the focus of this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week. Any person who drives a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is driving recklessly. Careless/dangerous driving is defined as operating a vehicle without due care and attention or reasonable consideration for other motorists or people on the road.
Speeding was the top infraction during Operation Safe Driver Week. A total of 1,249 warnings and 917 citations/tickets were issued for speeding, with commercial motor vehicle drivers receiving 1,073 warnings and 491 tickets/citations, and passenger vehicle drivers receiving 176 warnings and 416 citations/tickets for speed-related infractions.
Drivers who speed have less time to notice and respond to roadway hazards, such as pedestrians or slowed traffic. It’s also harder to steer safely around obstacles or in poor weather, and higher speeds mean greater impact during a collision, which makes a crash more deadly or likely to cause catastrophic injury.
In 2023, speeding killed 11,775 people and was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. In Canada, in 2023, there were 1,964 roadways fatalities, and speeding was cited as the leading contributing factor (25%).
Another top violation during Operation Safe Driver Week was failure to wear a seat belt. A total of 219 warnings and 264 tickets/citations were issued. Commercial motor vehicle drivers received 204 warnings and 248 tickets/citations for not wearing their seat belt. Passenger vehicle drivers were given 15 warnings and 16 tickets/citations for failure to wear a seat belt.
Nearly 9% of drivers in the U.S. do not wear their seat belt. When it comes to commercial motor vehicle drivers specifically, an estimated 14% do not wear their seat belt. In Canada, in 2023, approximately 33% of drivers and 32% of passengers were not wearing a seatbelt during a fatal crash.
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, wearing a seat belt is the single most effective thing drivers and passengers can do to protect themselves in a crash. Being buckled up during a crash helps keep everyone safe and secure inside the vehicle. Seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives and could have saved an additional 2,549 people if they had been wearing seat belts, in 2017 alone.
Texting or using a handheld device was another frequently cited violation. A total of 129 warnings and 116 tickets/citations were issued to drivers who were texting or using a mobile device while driving. Passenger vehicle drivers received 22 warnings and 37 tickets/citations for texting/using a handheld device while behind the wheel. Commercial motor vehicle drivers received 107 warnings and 79 tickets/citations for texting/using a handheld device while operating a commercial motor vehicle.
Texting while driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving because it combines visual, manual and cognitive distractions all at once. Distraction impairs performance and reduces a driver’s awareness. It makes drivers slower to notice and less able to safely respond to critical events on the road. In fact, studies show that the impairments associated with using a cell phone while driving can be as profound as those associated with driving while impaired.
In the U.S., distracted driving claimed 3,275 lives in 2023, and in Canada, distracted driving contributed to an estimated 22.5% of fatal collisions.
Fourteen commercial motor vehicle drivers received warnings and 22 were issued citations for possession/use/under influence of drugs/alcohol. Four passenger vehicle drivers received warnings and five received citations for possession/use/under influence of drugs/alcohol. Combined, 18 drivers received warnings and 27 were given a ticket/citation for possession/use/under influence of drugs/alcohol.
Driving under the influence of prescribed or illegal drugs or alcohol impairs the brain and body functions needed to operate a vehicle safely. Effects include slower reflexes and reaction time, decreased coordination, poor judgement, blurred vision and/or dizziness, etc., all of which increase the risk of crashes, injuries and fatalities.
About 1 million arrests are made in the U.S. each year for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In Canada, police reported 71,602 incidents of impaired driving in 2023.
In the U.S., commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders with drug and alcohol program violations are identified in FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. CDL holders with “prohibited” status in the clearinghouse have lost their CDL or CLP and must complete the return-to-duty process to become eligible to have their license reinstated. More than 346,000 violations have been reported to the Clearinghouse since its inception on Jan. 2, 2020, to Aug. 6, 2025.
Outreach and Awareness
In addition to traffic stops, another important aspect of the Operation Safe Driver Week campaign is raising awareness of the dangers of unsafe driving behaviors in an effort to dissuade such behaviors.
CVSA mailed nearly 70,000 Operation Safe Driver Week postcards to inspectors and motor carriers for distribution in the weeks leading up to and during Operation Safe Driver Week.
CVSA worked with the Paramount/CBS network to educate passenger vehicle drivers about safely sharing the roads with large trucks. The campaign included videos, digital ad banners, and video and static awareness ads, which were featured on websites, social media and CBS’s digital streaming channels. The digital campaign delivered more than 15 million campaign impressions.
In addition, the identification and prevention of human trafficking is a priority for law enforcement jurisdictions throughout North America. During this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week, participating jurisdictions reported conducting 1,681 awareness and educational activities to raise awareness of the crime of human trafficking, indicators to look for and what to do when a victim of human trafficking has been identified.
The Operation Safe Driver Program, part of CVSA’s transportation safety programs, was created to reduce the number of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles and passenger vehicles due to unsafe driving behaviors.
Through initiatives like Operation Safe Driver Week, law enforcement jurisdictions, the motor carrier industry and federal agencies work together toward the same goal – preventing crashes, injuries and fatalities on North America’s roadways.
View the results from previous years.
Following Governor Phil Murphy’s proclamation recognizing October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) and the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) are continuing their initiatives for promoting cyber safety across the state, this month and into the future.
New Jersey’s observance coincides with the national Cybersecurity Awareness Month campaign, “Building a Cyber Strong America,” which is marking its 22nd anniversary in 2025.
Observed annually in October and jointly led by the National Cybersecurity Alliance and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), this global initiative is dedicated to educating individuals and organizations on best practices for online safety. CISA emphasizes the importance of individuals and organizations to actively engage in daily practices that mitigate risks when using the internet and connected devices.
“In today’s interconnected world, maintaining robust cyber hygiene practices is not just a necessity, but a fundamental responsibility for safeguarding our digital environments,” said NJOHSP Director Laurie Doran. “We are committed to empowering individuals and organizations with the knowledge and tools to protect their online assets against evolving threats. With cyberspace having no borders, embracing proactive measures is essential to ensure a secure and resilient environment for all.
In alignment with the national campaign’s objectives, the NJCCIC, a division within NJOHSP, strongly advises organizations and the public to adopt a range of cybersecurity measures to enhance resilience, including:
Furthermore, build on basic defenses and employ the following additional practices:
According to the NJCCIC, the most common threats and scams targeting individuals and businesses are:
“In our rapidly evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity is essential for safeguarding our global, national, and local interests. In New Jersey, we recognize the vital importance of protecting our digital infrastructure and ensuring the security of our residents’ online activities,” said NJCCIC Director Michael Geraghty. “The NJCCIC emphasizes the critical role of personal responsibility and proactive measures, urging the adoption of effective cybersecurity habits as part of our daily routines. As we progress further into the digital age, our collective efforts to bolster cybersecurity will be essential in creating a safer and more resilient New Jersey.”
For further information on cyber best practices and incident reporting or to sign up for a free NJCCIC membership, which includes cyber-related updates, advisories, and newsletters, visit cyber.nj.gov.
ATA's Intermodal Carriers Conference reported that yesterday, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling in the World Shipping Council’s challenge of the FMC’s Detention and Demurrage Billing Rule. As we had expected based on oral arguments, the judges found the provision of the rule detailing which parties can be billed for these charges to be arbitrary and capricious. The Court found that “the Commission failed to explain the seeming inconsistency between its contractual-privity-based rationale and its categorical bar against billing motor carriers even when in privity with the billing party.”
While the Court allowed most of the rule to stand, it struck down the rule’s provision defining a properly issued invoice which permits the invoice to be issued solely to “(1) The person for whose account the billing party provided ocean transportation or storage of cargo and who contracted with the billing party for the ocean transportation or storage of cargo or (2) the consignee. “ While the challenge was based on the issue of whether charges assessed in carrier haulage could be billed to motor carriers, this provision of the rule makes no distinction. As a result it would seem that there are no limitations on who can be billed for both carrier and merchant haulage charges.
The Ocean Shipping Reform Act requires that the FMC address the issue of who can be billed for these charges and the Commission should revisit this issue in the future. The Court’s decision, however, would seem to permit ocean carriers to once again bill motor carriers for all detention and demurrage charges regardless of whether they are carrier or merchant haulage.
CLICK HERE for a copy of the ruling.
New York is often a bellwether for national policy. These updates may soon reach your state — business owners should prepare accordingly.
Senate Bill 1514: Independent Contractor Crackdown
A new bill passed unanimously in the NY Senate and now pending in the Assembly could dramatically change how businesses use contract labor.
What’s at stake:
If the NY Department of Labor determines that a business knowingly misclassified employees as independent contractors — or misreported employee counts to insurers — it can issue an immediate Stop-Work Order, halting operations.
Read the bill → https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1514
Key concerns for business owners:
Undermines due process protections
Introduces vague enforcement standards
Disproportionately impacts small and rural businesses
Immediate Work Stoppage at your place of business
What you can do:
Consultech and its partners are actively lobbying against this legislation. We are in direct contact with the lawmakers making these decisions.
Contact us to learn how you can support the effort or prepare your business for compliance.
Minimum Wage Increase
Effective 2027:
NYC, Long Island, Westchester: $17.00/hour
Rest of New York State: $16.00/hour
Action Step:
Review your labor cost projections and update budgets accordingly.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Rate Spike
The maximum weekly benefit is increasing from $504 to $869 — a 72% jump.
Why it matters:
Higher benefits = higher UI tax rates for employers and immediate impact on reimbursable employers.
Fight claims when possible. We can help you challenge questionable filings and reduce your liability.
⚠️ Sexual Harassment Training Compliance
New York mandates some of the strictest training requirements in the country.
We offer discounted, compliant training programs that protect your business and save you money.
Let’s Talk
If you have questions about these changes or want to schedule a compliance review, contact Consultech today. We’re here to help you stay ahead of the curve.
Effective September 30, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will no longer accept paper payments, such as checks and money orders, for any agency transactions, including fees for initial application of operating authority registration, reinstatement or legal name changes, civil penalty payments, and other fee-based transactions. FMCSA has actively engaged with stakeholders over the past several weeks to ensure broad awareness of this change and to support a smooth transition. The transition aligns with White House Executive Order 14247: Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account, and advances a faster, more secure, and more efficient payment experience for the motor carrier industry.
What’s Changing
Beginning September 30, 2025:
FMCSA will not process paper payments (such as checks and money orders) for any transactions.
Stakeholders must provide debit or credit card information to make payment.
For financial responsibility (insurance filing fees, entities should refer to their monthly invoice for instructions
For operating authority registration related fees such as initial applications, name changes, and reinstatements, entities should visit the FMCSA registration website.
Assistance is available through the FMCSA Contact Center: 1-800-832-5660.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is FMCSA eliminating paper transactions, such as checks and money orders? This change supports White House Executive Order 14247. Electronic payments are faster, more secure, and more efficient, reducing errors and administrative burden.
2. What types of electronic payments will FMCSA accept? FMCSA will accept debit or credit cards via secure online payments on its website.
3. What happens if I mail a paper check after September 30, 2025? Checks received after September 30, 2025, will not be processed and will be returned, potentially delaying services.
4. Are there any exceptions? If submitting a paper application, the applicant must complete the credit card information at the bottom of the form before submitting.
5. Where can I get help transitioning to electronic payments? Call the agency’s Contact Center at 1-800-832-5660 (8am to 8-pm, Monday-Friday) for assistance.
The NJMTA would like to thank all of our generous sponsors for supporting the Association and helping make our Annual Golf Outing & Networking Event a success.
Your continued support allows us to bring together industry professionals for a day of connection, camaraderie, and fun. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to another fantastic event filled with golf, networking, and great memories.
Americold Logistics
Ancra Cargo
Anjer Inc
AssuredPartners
ARL Network
Association Member Trust
Atlantic Utility Trailer Sales
Becker LLC
Bergey's Truck Centers
Bill Westervelt Asphalt Paving
Campbell Supply Company
Campbell's Express
CG Tax, Audit & Recovery
CJS Violations
ContainerPort Group
Cottingham & Butler
Cummins Sales & Service
Daybreak Express, Inc.
ECBM
Edge Consulting
Elizabeth Truck Center
FedEx
Harbor Freight Transport Corp.
Hermann Services Inc.
Holt Logistics
Hudson County Motors
Hunter Truck Sales & Leasing
K.W. Rastall Oil
Linden Warehouse & Distribution Co., Inc.
McCollister's Global Services, Inc.
MJD Trucking, Inc.
NFI
NJM Insurance
NRS
PavXpress Trucking & Warehousing
Pilot Travel Centers
Pinnacle Freight Systems, Inc.
PNC Bank Equipment Finance
Reardon Anderson
Rodriguez Distribution, Inc.
Romark Trucking LLC
Safeway Trucking Corp.
US 1 Logistics
Veltri Inc.
VPV Transport LLC
Wabash
Wakefern Food Corp.
WEX, Inc.
Ensuring truck drivers can communicate with law enforcement and read road signs keeps American families on our roads safe
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced California, Washington, and New Mexico will lose federal funding unless they adopt and enforce English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for commercial motor vehicle drivers. The three states have 30 days to come into compliance before the Department will withhold up to 100% of funding from the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP).
“States don’t get to pick and choose which federal safety rules to follow,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “As we saw with the horrific Florida crash that killed three, when states fail to enforce the law, they put the driving public in danger. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are taking aggressive action to close these safety gaps, hold states accountable, and make sure every commercial driver on the road is qualified to operate a 40-ton vehicle.”
An investigation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found significant failures by California, Washington, and New Mexico to properly place drivers out-of-service for ELP violations. In addition to the data, California Highway Patrol has also publicly stated it has no intention of following this important federal regulation.
These actions also come as Secretary Duffy advances its nationwide audit of non-domiciled commercial driver’s license (CDL) issuance – part of a broader effort to enhance safety on America’s roads and restore order to the trucking industry.
Additional Information:
California, Washington, and New Mexico today received notices, known as Notices of Proposed Determination of Nonconformity, which open a formal process that would result in the suspension of millions of dollars in federal funds through the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program if the states do not demonstrate full compliance with federal English Language Proficiency standards.
An investigation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found significant failures by all three states to follow federal guidelines to properly place drivers out-of-service for ELP violations. From June 25 to August 21:
In May, Secretary Duffy signed an order announcing new guidance to enforce English proficiency requirement for truckers.
In June, Secretary Duffy announced and unveiled a package of new initiatives, pilot programs, and regulatory updates designed to improve the lives of America’s truck drivers.
Effective immediately we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers.
The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers.
In the News
US Freezes Work Visas for Commercial Truck Drivers - TT
State Department halts employment visas for truck drivers - POLITICO
US halts worker visas for commercial truck drivers, Rubio says | Reuters
Trump administration pausing issuance of visas for foreign truck drivers, Rubio says
Law enforcement personnel in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will conduct commercial motor vehicle inspections, educate drivers and motor carriers about the importance of brake safety, and provide brake inspection and violation data to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) for this year’s Brake Safety Week, scheduled for Aug. 24-30.
CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct routine commercial motor vehicle inspections throughout the week, focusing on brake systems and components. In addition, inspectors will focus on drums and rotors, the emphasis for this year’s brake-safety initiative. Brake drum and rotor issues may affect a vehicle’s brake efficiency. Broken pieces of drums and rotors may become dislodged from the vehicle enroute and damage other vehicles or result in injuries or fatalities to the motoring public.
Commercial motor vehicles found to have brake-related out-of-service violations, or any other out-of-service violations, will be removed from roadways until those violations are corrected.
During Brake Safety Week, inspectors will capture data about commercial motor vehicle inspections, brake systems and components, and brake-related violations and report that data to CVSA. Some jurisdictions will use performance-based brake testers (PBBT) to assess the braking performance of vehicles and submit PBBT-specific data to the Alliance. CVSA will collect and analyze all data and report the results publicly later this year.
In addition, brake-safety educational efforts by inspectors, motor carriers and others in the industry take place during Brake Safety Week and are integral to the success of the campaign. CVSA also offers resources to help drivers, motor carriers, owner-operators and mechanics prepare for Brake Safety Week.
Brake Safety Week aims to improve commercial motor vehicle brake safety throughout North America. The goal is to eliminate roadway crashes by conducting roadside inspections and educating drivers, mechanics, large- and small-fleet motor carriers, owner-operators, and others on the importance of proper brake inspection, maintenance and operation.
Governor Phil Murphy declared that New Jersey will enter a State of Emergency effective at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025 in preparation for Hurricane Erin. Coastal and flash flooding, dangerous surf warnings and advisories, and high winds are expected for several counties across New Jersey. Parts of the state will experience sustained winds of up to 50 mph, large breaking waves along the Shore as high as 17 feet, and the inundation of one to three feet of water in flood-prone areas. Executive Order No. 396 declares a State of Emergency across all 21 counties in New Jersey. “Over the past couple of days, we have seen the effects of Hurricane Erin along the Jersey Shore in the form of dangerous rip tides. Today and tomorrow will be no exception,” said Governor Murphy. “As the storm moves past New Jersey over the next 24 hours, we are expecting high surf and rip currents, coastal and flash flooding, and a high erosion risk in parts of the state. We ask all New Jerseyans to monitor local weather forecasts and warnings and stay informed on evacuation protocols, especially if you’re down the Shore.” Governor Murphy encourages New Jerseyans to visit ready.nj.gov for important weather updates and safety information. For those living along the shore, please be mindful of evacuation routes in case of an emergency. For preparedness, please visit the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management’s Evacuation Routes webpage at https://nj.gov/njoem/plan-prepare/evacuation-routes.shtml For those living in Northern New Jersey and the New York Metro area, visit the U.S. National Weather Service New York, NY at https://www.weather.gov/okx/ For those living in Central and Southern New Jersey, visit the U.S. National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly at https://www.weather.gov/phi/ For a copy of Executive Order No. 396, please click here.
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!["The Voice of the New Jersey Trucking Industry...
Dedicated to Safety and Service"](/Content/ArtText/570f9.png?text=%22The%20Voice%20of%20the%20New%20Jersey%20Trucking%20Industry...%0ADedicated%20to%20Safety%20and%20Service%22&style=Site%20title%202&styleGroup=100&tc1=000000&tc2=000000&fn=PT%20Sans%20Italic&fs=40&sid=10784141140682184 ""The Voice of the New Jersey Trucking Industry...
Dedicated to Safety and Service"")
