"ROADCHECK 2013" YIELDS RESULTS IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

(LANDOVER, MD) – Commercial vehicles traveling in and around the Capital Beltway region yesterday were the target of “Roadcheck 2013”, a coordinated enforcement effort that resulted in scores of trucks being placed out of service for safety defects and a dozen drivers taken off the road for being unqualified to drive commercial vehicles. 

Members of the Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division were joined by allied law enforcement and regulatory officers as they launched “Roadcheck 2013” at Fedex Field in Landover. The enforcement initiative focused on commercial vehicles traveling around the Capital Beltway in Prince George’s County. 

Commercial trucks and buses were directed into a temporary inspection zone set up at Fed Ex Field in Landover. The operation used overhead road signs and variable message boards to notify commercial motor vehicles on the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) would be inspected at the temporary weigh and inspection site off Arena Drive. Roving police units patrolled the surrounding area for vehicles attempting to avoid inspection at the fixed site. 

Commercial vehicle inspectors examined 525 vehicles. Of those, 101 vehicles were placed out-of-service for major safety defects. In addition, 19 drivers were placed out of service for being unqualified to operate commercial vehicles. Police issued 181 traffic citations and 284 warnings for commercial vehicle related violations. 

Allied law enforcement and regulatory agencies assisting with the operation included the Virginia State Police, Montgomery County Police Department, Prince Georges County Police Department, Calvert County Sheriff, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, and Maryland Comptroller’s Office personnel. In addition to the Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division personnel, State Police units also assisted, including the Special Operations Division K-9 and command vehicle, Cadets, Tactical Medics and the Electronic Services Division. 

Similar operations will be conducted in the future as state and local police work together to reduce traffic injuries and deaths, while increasing safety on Maryland roads.