State Police Start Commercial Vehicle Enforcement in County

The Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division Thursday will be conducting “Operation Tailgate, ”an initiative targeting unsafe and overweight commercial vehicles in Prince George’s County.

“Operation Tailgate” will target commercial trucks and buses traveling the I-95/I-495 corridor. State police personnel, along with state and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies will be operating stationary inspections and roving patrols in the area.

Several state police commercial vehicle teams will be patrolling I-495.

During the inspection process, efforts will be focused on locating wanted fugitives, impaired drivers, unqualified commercial vehicle operators, fraudulent documents and other unlawful behavior.

During the last “Operation Tailgate,” in July 2011, a total of 351 commercial vehicles were inspected. Of those, 35 vehicles were placed out of service due to serious equipment violations. Another 25 drivers were placed out of service.

Troopers issued 108 traffic citations and 128 warnings. Two drivers were arrested on outstanding warrants and one passenger of a commercial truck was arrested for the possession of marijuana.

The highly traveled Interstate 495 is one of the identified commercial vehicle high crash corridors in Maryland.