Texas DPS Takes 1,738 Vehicles, 160 Drivers Off the Road

During the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Roadcheck 2010, which ran from June 8 through June 10, DPS troopers inspected 6,906 commercial vehicles. During the three-day campaign, 25 percent of the vehicles inspected in Texas (1,738) were placed out of service because they were found to have serious enough safety violations to be removed from service until repairs could be made.

Troopers placed 160 of the drivers (2.3 percent) out of service for violations ranging from not properly tracking their hours of service to suspended, expired or cancelled driver licenses. Four drivers were placed out of service for drug or alcohol violations. Troopers issued five tickets for seat belt violations.

Vehicle out-of-service violations included 900 for brakes out of adjustment, 702 for brake system problems, 283 for tire or wheel issues and 322 with light malfunctions. Overall, 27,143 violations were documented as a result of the 6,906 inspections conducted.

DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement troopers, along with highway patrol troopers and other inspectors who have received specialized training in commercial vehicle inspection, stopped commercial vehicles to inspect safety equipment and check driver licenses, endorsements and log books. Troopers also looked for possible drug or alcohol use.

The annual Roadcheck program stretches from Mexico to Canada. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, which sponsors Roadcheck, reports a significant decrease in the commercial vehicle crash rate in North America since the program’s start in 1988.

Vehicles passing inspection received a CVSA decal exempting the vehicle from inspection for a 90-day period, unless they have an obvious safety defect. Troopers issued 2,516 decals during Roadcheck 2010.

Source: Texas Department of Public Safety