Roadcheck campaign strives to prevent large-truck crashes

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- To improve traffic safety and prevent large-truck crashes, the Wisconsin State Patrol will participate in the annual Roadcheck campaign from Tuesday to Thursday, June 3 to 5.

During the Roadcheck period, the State Patrol and other agencies throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico will intensify their efforts to increase compliance with all commercial motor vehicle driver and equipment regulations and boost the number of commercial operators who buckle up. Roadcheck is sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

Last year during the 72-hour Roadcheck period, the State Patrol conducted more than 950 inspections and detected more than 4,000 safety violations. As a result, 224 vehicles and 63 drivers were declared out of service until the violations were corrected.

“The State Patrol has highly trained commercial motor vehicle inspectors patrolling highways and stationed at our safety and weight enforcement facilities, also known as weigh stations,” says Captain Brian Ausloos of the Motor Carrier Enforcement Section.

“Their mission is to remove unsafe and fatigued commercial drivers from the road and to ensure that all safety equipment on large trucks and other commercial vehicles is operating properly.They examine braking and lighting systems, ensure loads are properly secured, and review drivers’ logbooks. During Roadcheck and throughout the year, the State Patrol’s stringent commercial motor vehicle inspection and enforcement efforts help save lives and reduce injuries by preventing large-truck crashes.”