State Police Drop the Hammer on Truckers
LA PLATA --- In conjunction with "Roadcheck 2004" - a multi-national three day
program coordinated by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and
simultaneously involving enforcement personnel from agencies in the
United States, Canada and Mexico - the Maryland State Police Commercial
Vehicle Enforcement Section conducted a special enforcement initiative
June 9th through June 10th that targeted trucks on Charles County
roadways.

Maryland State Police report that over the two day period, MSP enforcement
personnel conducted 90
comprehensive "level one" roadside truck inspections and 265 "level two"
inspections.  A level one inspection involves a complete inspection of
the driver and the truck safety components, including those found under
the truck and trailer, while a level two inspection involves an
inspection of the driver and those components that can be checked
without going under the vehicle.

The inspections resulted in 57 trucks being placed out-of-service for
either driver violations or safety violations related to truck equipment
that needed to be repaired before the truck could again be driven safely
on the road.  Drivers can be placed out-of-service for violations
ranging from not getting proper rest to improper licensing.  Trucks can
be placed out-of-service for problems with brakes, tires, lights, etc.

Of the trucks inspected, 16 were hauling hazardous materials.  In
addition to the inspections, 230 trucks were weighed and 29 were found
to be overweight.  Truck drivers were cited with 512 violations during
the initiative.