According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a highway blitz is occurring now in several states. This enforcement is taking place from June 20th – June 24th along I-81. Traffic law enforcement will be patrolling the I-81 corridor in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The focus will be on unsafe driving, speeding, following too closely, and distracted driving.
How to Prepare for the Blitz
The enforcement is to help maintain a safe driving environment for both commercial and passenger vehicles. The FMCSA states that I-81 is a heavily traveled area in the Eastern United States. Between 2018 and 2020, 3,200 accidents occurred on I-81 involving commercial motor vehicles.
Below are tips from the FMCSA for both commercial motor vehicles and passenger vehicles during this time.
Commercial Motor Vehicles
- This enforcement along I-81 highlights the importance of all vehicles and how to share the road safely.
- Obey all traffic laws, including wearing your seatbelt, following the speed limit, slowing down for work zones, and do not drive distracted. Driving unsafe can cause crashes and even death.
- Ensure your vehicle is always operating safely and follow all regulations relating to your service hours, medical certification, CMV credentials, and drivers’ licenses.
- If you are interested in reading more tips for commercial motor vehicles, you can find them on the FMCSA’s website.
Passenger Vehicles
- Follow speed limit signs on I-81 and always wear your seatbelt
- Do not drive impaired or distracted
- When driving near large commercial trucks or buses, be patient and allow enough space for braking
- Large truck and bus drivers have blind spots – do not cut off commercial motor vehicles or drive for long periods on the left side of these vehicles
- Large trucks need 40% more space to come to a stop – this means you should not follow a commercial motor vehicle too closely, merge or make sudden stops in front of them.
While this blitz is occurring for four days, Operation Safe Driver Week is occurring from July 10th – July 16th. Click here to learn more about upcoming inspections.