AUSTIN, TEXAS – During Roadcheck 2009, which ran June 2-4, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers inspected 7,316 commercial vehicles, a 25.6 percent increase from Roadcheck 2008, according to the DPS.

During the three-day campaign, 1,636 of the vehicles (22.3 percent) and 202 of the drivers (2.7 percent) were found to have safety violations serious enough to be removed from service.

Last year, 1,435 vehicles and 178 drivers were placed out of service. Inspectors placed 125 drivers out of service for hours-of-service violations. Other violations ranged from false log violations to suspended, expired, and cancelled licenses and having improper endorsement.

Seven drivers were placed out of service for drug or alcohol violations. Troopers issued 12 tickets for seat belt violations.

Vehicle out-of-service violations included 953 trucks that needed brake adjustmenta, 655 with brake system problems, 245 with tire or wheel problems and 272 with light malfunctions.

DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement troopers, along with Highway Patrol troopers and other inspectors who have received specialized training in commercial vehicle inspection, stopped commercial vehicles to inspect safety equipment and check driver licenses, endorsements, and log books. Troopers also looked for possible drug or alcohol use.

The annual Roadcheck program, which stretches from Mexico to Canada, is designed to reduce commercial vehicle highway fatalities through increased vehicle safety. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, which sponsors Roadcheck, reports a significant decrease in the commercial vehicle crash rate in North America since the program's start in 1988.

Vehicles passing inspection received a CVSA decal exempting the vehicles from inspection for a 90-day period, unless they have an obvious safety defect. Troopers issued 3,037 decals during Roadcheck 2009.