The first Roadcheck results are in — 709 violations discovered in 356 inspections

The New Hampshire State Police released the results from last week’s 72 hour truck inspection blitz.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck inspection effort took place this year from May 4 — 6 throughout North America.

Though the effort just wrapped up last week, the New Hampshire State Police have already compiled a detailed report on the results of this year’s campaign.

During Roadcheck, New Hampshire State Police Troopers inspected a total of 356 commercial motor vehicles. Of those vehicles, 25 had no critical violations after undergoing a Level I inspection. These trucks were issued a CVSA decal.

Troopers say that they ddiscovered a total of 709 violations, of which 125 critical and resulted in the vehicle or its driver being placed out of service.

“In total, 56 vehicles were placed out of service for critical safety violations, while 29 drivers were placed out of service for violations including possessing drugs, possessing alcohol, driving while not physically qualified, failing to maintain record of driving hours, not holding the proper class of driver’s license, operating after suspension, and for continuing to drive after being declared out of service. Troopers issued 63 citations and made one arrest as a result of commercial motor vehicle inspections,” state police said.

Troopers also shared more detailed reports on the conditions that led to some of the out of service orders:

In Sanbornton, #Trooper Mark Magoon stopped a 2018 Hino box truck after the driver failed to pull into a commercial motor vehicle inspection area. As a result of a commercial motor vehicle inspection, it was found that that the driver was in possession of a controlled drug, was not keeping a required record of duty status, and was operating without possessing a valid medical card after having been previously cited. Additionally, it was found that the driver had failed to conduct a pre-trip inspection, the vehicle was not registered, and the company had failed to file a required biennial update with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The driver was ultimately placed out of service and prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle, while the vehicle was removed from the scene by Rusty’s Towing.

In Tamworth, Trooper First Class Seth Turner stopped a 2002 International carrying drilling equipment. An inspection of the vehicle, including a weight check, was conducted. As a result, it was discovered that the vehicle exceeded its maximum allowable gross weight rating by 13,800 pounds, the vehicle exceeded axle ratings on its drive axles by 6,200 pounds, and the vehicle exceeded tire load limits by 860 pounds. Additionally, the vehicle’s load was not properly secured and the driver’s record of duty status was not current. The vehicle was placed out of service and had to remove part of its cargo so as not to exceed tire load limits.

In Dover, Trooper First Class Richard Perreault stopped a 2019 Chevrolet pickup towing a 2018 trailer. As a result of a commercial motor vehicle inspection, he found that the vehicle was not displaying the company name, was missing a required fire extinguisher, was missing safety warning devices, the driver did not have a medical certificate in their possession, and the driver was operating after their driver’s license had been suspended. The driver was placed out of service and ultimately arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for Burglary as well as for Operating After Suspension – Subsequent Offense.

In Meredith, Trooper Kevin Raymond stopped a 1998 Kenworth. During the inspection, it was discovered that the carrier’s name was not displayed as required; was utilizing fog lamps that were for off-road use only; that the pitman arm, which translates movement from the steering box to the front axle was loose; and that the steering wheel had excessive lash, in that the steering wheel could be moved 10.25 inches before moving the front wheels. The vehicle was ultimately placed out of service due to the critical safety violations discovered in the vehicle’s steering system.

Troopers also noted that there were no fatal crashes involving commercial vehicles during Roadcheck.