State police are cracking down on truckers for avoiding a new toll road

Troopers from two states recently came together to target commercial vehicle drivers who they say are avoiding a new toll road in Delaware.

On Thursday, February 28 and Friday, March 1, motor carrier enforcement officers with the Delaware State Police and the Maryland State Police came together for a two-day crackdown on truckers who were allegedly trying to avoid the new toll road U.S. 301, according to a news release from the Delaware State Police.

Troopers say that they conducted the enforcement effort in response to complaints about truck traffic on local roads from the public.

During the two day enforcement effort, troopers stopped 85 trucks that they determined to be bypassing the tolls. All 85 trucks were inspected and troopers issued 77 citations as well as 50 written warnings. Additionally, two trucks and one truck driver were placed out of service during the toll enforcement detail.

Troopers say that they have similar commercial vehicle crackdowns planned for the future.

State police did not explain in their news release how they determined that the truck drivers were attempting to avoid the toll on U.S. 301.

“During this operation, the primary goal was to keep commercial vehicles from traveling on roadways that are prohibited for their use. We have worked with DELDOT officials to ensure that there is proper signage to alert the truck drivers. We also keep an open dialogue with the drivers themselves to explain the issues caused by them using the wrong roadways. Through enforcement and education, we hope to greatly lower the number of violators which will in turn make our roadways safer,” said Sergeant John Samis, Supervisor of the Commercial Vehicle Motor Vehicle Enforcement Unit Delaware State Police.

The U.S. 301 toll road opened in January 2019 and moves northeastward from the Maryland/Delaware state line, bypassing downtown Middleton, and tying into State Route 1.