Kentucky troopers plan three day commercial vehicle crackdown
Kentucky State Police (KSP) will be taking part in an enforcement initiative this month to help prevent commercial motor vehicle-related crashes.
KSP’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) will take part in a traffic enforcement effort from Monday, November 18, 2024, through Wednesday, November 20, 2024, with a goal of curbing crashes involving commercial vehicles.
“During this effort, KSP Commercial Vehicle Inspectors will open scale facilities, ensuring commercial drivers follow safety regulations, including hours of service compliance, commercial driver license compliance, medical certification and commercial motor vehicle credentialing,” troopers said.
During the three day event, troopers will also be on the lookout for dangerous interstate driving behaviors such as aggressive driving, speeding, tailgating, failing to wear a seat belt, and driving under the influence.
“KSP is honored to be a part of this initiative to make it safer for everyone to travel through our state during the upcoming holiday season,” said Sgt. Jason Morris, West Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Spokesperson. “We are committed to preventing dangerous driver behaviors and educating motorists on sharing the road safely with commercial trucks.”
The KSP traffic initiative is part of the larger Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Operation SafeDRIVE (Distracted Reckless Impaired Visibility Enforcement) campaign.
Also as part of the initiative, KSP is asking motorists to pay attention to the following tips to reduce the chances of a crash with a commercial vehicle.
- Stay out of blind spots: Larger vehicles have more enlarged blind spots on all four sides.
- Pass safely: Before passing, make sure you can see the truck driver in their side mirror and use your turn signal.
- Do not cut off large vehicles: It takes a large truck traveling at highway speeds the length of two football fields to stop.
- Avoid tailgating: Following too closely puts you in the truck’s blind spot, which can be dangerous.