In The News

North Carolina troopers in crack-down on big rigs

By The
Posted Mar 21st 2008 3:24PM

inspection_1.jpgRALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Highway Patrol officers today are wrapping up a two-day Operation Road Watch to crack down on commercial vehicle safety violations along Interstate 85 in Davidson County.

Troopers are using helicopters and unmarked patrol vehicles while focusing on safety inspections of big trucks that might be overweight or in violation of federal safety standards.

Troopers are also ticketing motorists who speed, tailgate and drive aggressively around large trucks.

The NCHP wants to reduce crashes involving commercial trucks.

In 2007, North Carolina troopers investigated 7,045 crashes involving commercial rigs statewide. Last year, 129 people were killed and 2,342 injured in crashes involving commercial vehicles. Truck crashes also contribute significantly to traffic congestion on the state's highways, authorities said.

Motorists and truckers alike may report dangerous driving to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP on their cellular phones.

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