Commercial Vehicle Fatigued Driver Emphasis July 8 – 12, 2012

   (CVD Truck Check) During a Commercial Vehicle Safety emphasis, WSP CVEO 2 Nicholas Hopper inspects the tires on a semi truck. During these safety emphasis checks Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers not only check the truck’s brakes, tires and safety systems.  Officers also check the driver’s licenses and log books, looking for drivers with suspended licenses or ones who have exceeded the maximum hours they can drive every day. Photo courtesy WSDOT.   

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) Commercial Vehicle Division (CVD), in partnership with California and Oregon authorities, are combating fatigued drivers by checking drivers’ hours of service and citing drivers who exceed the maximum allowable thresholds.

Washington, Oregon, and California will share data and information during the emphasis to verify hours of service recorded by drivers of commercial motor vehicles traveling the Interstate 5 corridor from Blaine, Washington to northern California.  Although actual percentage estimates vary, it is widely acknowledged that driver fatigue is a factor in many commercial vehicle crashes. For this reason, federal regulations limit the number of both consecutive and cumulative hours a commercial vehicle driver may operate his or her vehicle without an off-duty rest period. Enforcement of these limits is essential to ensure compliance, combat driver fatigue, and assure our roadways remain safe for all motorists.

During this emphasis, Washington, Oregon and California Troopers and Officers will check vehicles and their drivers at inspection sites along the Interstate 5 corridor. In addition, roving patrols will inspect vehicles and drivers who are attempting to avoid the inspection sites by traveling on bypass routes.

The WSP CVD strives to make Washington roadways the safest in the nation.