US, Canada truck enforcement blitzes sideline 350 drivers, vehicles
Federal, state and local authorities placed scores of truck drivers and commercial vehicles out of service during a series of enforcement operations conducted from mid-September through Oct. 1 across the U.S. and Canada.
At least 124 drivers and 226 commercial vehicles or loads were placed out of service in enforcement actions from mid-September through Oct. 1, according to figures released by authorities.
One of the largest operations was “Operation Saturday Night Fever,” a coordinated overnight enforcement initiative involving the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Homeland Security and state police in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida and Georgia.
Authorities conducted 552 inspections, placing 78 drivers and 25 vehicles out of service. Twelve drivers were sidelined for English-language-proficiency violations, according to FMCSA. Inspectors also checked driver credentials, electronic logging devices, fatigue, distracted driving and cargo securement.
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The enforcement operation included drivers holding non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses.
Elsewhere, enforcement details uncovered violations ranging from unsafe brakes and tires to invalid licenses and truck drivers allegedly watching videos while behind the wheel.
“Operation Saturday Night Fever” was a coordinated enforcement initiative involving the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Homeland Security and state police in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida and Georgia. (Photo: FMCSA)
Illinois
Illinois State Police conducted a two-day hazardous-materials enforcement detail across several major highways in northern Illinois.
Troopers performed 532 inspections, including 111 involving hazardous materials, and identified 500 federal regulation violations and 109 Illinois Vehicle Code violations. Thirty drivers and 60 vehicles were placed out of service.
Arizona
Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers conducted a commercial vehicle enforcement detail Sept. 16 along Interstate 10 around Quartzsite and Ehrenberg.
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Troopers performed 46 inspections and reported 170 Driver/Vehicle Examination Report violations. Eleven drivers and 13 commercial vehicles were placed out of service.
In a separate Sept. 18 stop in Chandler, a trooper encountered a truck with a blown tire that was throwing sparks. An inspection found additional trailer tires that were bald or worn down to their interior components. The driver also had an invalid CDL, according to Arizona DPS. Both the driver and vehicle were placed out of service.
Troopers also stopped an oversize mobile home Sept. 24 in Tempe after finding its rear lights were not working. Authorities said the rear escort driver’s license was suspended and the oversize permit listed an inaccurate width. The permit was revoked and the load was placed out of service.
An oversize load travels through Arizona before being stopped by state troopers Sept. 24. Inspectors found lighting and safety-equipment violations, an inaccurate oversize permit and a pilot escort driver with a suspended license. The load was placed out of service. (Photo: Arizona Department of Public Safety)
Texas
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Texas Department of Public Safety commercial vehicle enforcement officers partnered with Midland police Oct. 1 for Level I inspections in Midland County.
Officers found equipment violations involving tires, brakes, suspension components and air lines, resulting in several commercial vehicles being placed out of service. The agencies did not provide a total number of inspections or out-of-service orders.
In Krugerville, Texas, police stopped a truck in September and discovered the driver was operating without any driver’s license. When another truck arrived to pick up the driver, police said that vehicle had similar violations — and its driver was also unlicensed. Both trucks were towed.
A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper conducts a commercial vehicle inspection in West Texas. (Photo: Texas Department of Public Safety)
Kentucky
Louisville Metro Police and Kentucky State Police conducted 43 commercial vehicle inspections as part of an enforcement operation targeting high-crash corridors in Jefferson County.
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Officers identified 88 safety violations and issued 30 citations. Five drivers and eight commercial vehicles were placed out of service. FMCSA and other state transportation officials also participated in the initiative.
Nebraska
Nebraska State Patrol troopers inspected 19 commercial vehicles Sept. 22 in Kearney as part of an operation aimed partly at trucks that may not regularly pass through weigh stations.
Inspectors found 70 violations of federal motor carrier safety regulations and state law and placed 11 vehicles out of service. Seven citations were issued.
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Iowa
Commercial truck drivers watching videos while driving were among the violations uncovered during a Sept. 30 enforcement operation along Interstate 80 in Jasper County, Iowa.
Authorities issued nine distracted-driving citations, with the majority involving commercial drivers allegedly watching video streams on dash-mounted devices while operating their vehicles.
Three commercial vehicle inspections were conducted, resulting in one truck being placed out of service. Officers also issued 60 warnings for equipment violations and improper driving maneuvers.
New Jersey
Police in Piscataway Township targeted overweight commercial vehicles Sept. 30 along River Road, where vehicles registered above 10 tons are restricted except for local deliveries.
Officers stopped 57 overweight trucks, issued 79 summonses and impounded two commercial vehicles.
A Piscataway Township police officer speaks with a commercial truck driver during an enforcement detail targeting overweight vehicles on Sept. 30 in New Jersey. (Photo: Piscataway Township Police Department)
Canada
Canadian authorities also conducted several large commercial vehicle enforcement operations during the period.
A three-day Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance operation in Strathcona County, Alberta, resulted in 77 commercial vehicles being placed out of service.
Inspectors examined 192 vehicles from Sept. 23-25. Officials said 40% failed inspection, while another nearly 20% required attention. Inspectors checked tires, cargo securement, lighting, brakes, hours-of-service records and commercial driver’s licenses and endorsements.
A two-day enforcement blitz in Regina, Saskatchewan, resulted in 47 commercial vehicle inspections, with 19 vehicles taken out of service and 98 vehicle defects recorded. The broader traffic operation resulted in 281 infractions and 193 warnings.
In Ontario, provincial police and transportation inspectors conducted 40 commercial vehicle inspections Sept. 30 near County Road 90. Authorities issued 37 Provincial Offence Notices and placed 10 commercial vehicles out of service because of safety defects or violations.
Why it matters: The enforcement actions show federal, state and local agencies continuing to intensify scrutiny of commercial drivers and equipment, including CDL status, English proficiency, brakes, tires and distracted driving.
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