DMV, CSP Truck Inspection Campaign Starts Tuesday

From DMV Spokesman Bill Seymour:

The Department of Motor Vehicles and the Connecticut State Police will jointly launch a three-day statewide truck safety campaign Tuesday (June 5) as part of a national program raising awareness about commercial vehicle safety.

In Connecticut, DMV Commercial Vehicle Safety enforcement officers and State Police will work in a variety of locations, including roving road patrols. They will do spot checks for unsafe trucks and motor coaches as well as for these vehicles' drivers exceeding allowed time on the road. Severe violators will be put out-of-service and others will face citations, fines and required repair orders.

Called Roadcheck 2012, this annual international effort runs June 5-7 throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“The Roadcheck program serves as an important reminder that truck and bus safety continues to be a top priority here in Connecticut,” DMV Commissioner Melody A. Currey said. “Vehicles found to be violating critical safety regulations and laws will be put out of service on the spot,” she added.

“Highway safety is the focal point of our enforcement efforts said State Police Colonel Danny Stebbins. Troopers working with our partners across the country will make Roadcheck 2012 a priority. Everyone using our roads and highways should be confident that all commercial traffic sharing the roads are in top mechanical condition and that the operators are abiding by all of our laws.”

Patrols and enforcement of commercial trucks and motor coaches will occur in high-crash zones, including areas of Routes 91, 95, 84, 395 as well as along local roads. DMV and State Police will also staff various weigh stations in the state to checks trucks as the cross the border into Connecticut.

DMV and State Police enforcement officers have a lengthy checklist that is reviewed on each vehicle. Each full inspection can take up to an hour to complete. Included in the checks are:

 *   Proper tires.
 *   Safely functioning brakes.
 *   Systems for securing a load.
 *   Working lights.
 *   Whether a driver has exceeded the number of hours allowed for driving.
 *   Whether a driver is fatigued.
 *   Properly completed log books.
 *   Conformance with size and weight requirements.