Nevada State Police Highway Patrol has increased commercial vehicle inspections and enforcement near Spooner Summit following a recent increase in crashes involving commercial motor vehicles in the area of U.S. 50 and U.S. 395.
Over the past two weeks, the Division's Commercial Enforcement Section conducted 102 roadside inspections, documenting 286 violations. Inspectors placed 45 drivers and 33 commercial vehicles out of service.
Out-of-service violations must be corrected before a driver or vehicle can resume operations. The violations identified during the enforcement effort involved driver documentation, vehicle equipment and mechanical condition, motor carrier operating authority, and drivers' daily logbooks.
Inspectors said they did not observe any commercial vehicles with obvious or severe brake defects during the two weeks.
The enforcement effort also includes safety messaging for commercial drivers traveling the steep grades in the area. Inspectors placed a portable message board east of the U.S. 50 and U.S. 28 junction with the warning: "Steep grade ahead. CMV check brakes."
Drivers are also receiving safety alerts through their electronic logging devices as they approach the U.S. 50 and U.S. 28 junction. The alerts warn: "Runaway Truck Ramp 1 mile ahead," before each ramp.
The Division said the combination of enforcement and education is intended to reduce crashes, improve safety for commercial motor vehicle drivers and make Nevada highways safer for all motorists.
