RI State Police Report Over 800 Commercial Vehicle & Driver Violations

RI State Police Report Over 800 Commercial Vehicle & Driver Violations

The Rhode Island State Police handed out more than 800 commercial vehicle and driver violations during international road check safety campaign that took place this week.

The inspections, conducted by members of the Rhode Island State Police Commercial Enforcement Unit, along with safety inspectors from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and police officers from the North Kingstown, Smithfield, West Warwick Providence and Johnston Police Departments, revealed 696 vehicle violations and 136 driver violations.

Nearly 120 vehicles and drivers were taken out of service.

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“We hope this enforcement effort sends a strong message to the owners and operators of commercial vehicles, reminding them of their obligation to comply with state and federal regulations in order to ensure the safety of everyone on our roadways,” said Colonel James Manni.

The Inspections

Inspections were conducted in Rhode Island at two locations: on Interstate 95 North, at the weigh station in Richmond, and on Route 146 South, at the weigh station and rest area in North Smithfield.

All commercial vehicles traveling past those two locations were required to stop for comprehensive roadside inspections during the three-day period.

As a result of the inspections, 89 vehicles were taken out of service for major defects, such as under-inflated tires, inoperable turn signals or brake lights, or air brakes out of adjustment and 28 drivers were taken out of service for violations such as driving too many hours without taking the required number of breaks, not maintaining proper log books and records or not having a medical card as required. In addition, 46 operators were cited for failure to stop for the mandatory inspections.

Here are the results of this year’s enforcement campaign:

• Total Number of Inspections             416
• Vehicles Taken Out of Service            89       
• Drivers Taken Out of Service              28
• Size/Weight Violations                          7
• Seat Belt Violations                            3
• Total Vehicle Violations                      696
• Total Driver Violations                        136
• Moving Violation                                46 (Operators cited for “obedience to devices” for failure to stop for the mandatory inspections)