Pennsylvania State Police removed 163 vehicles and 39 drivers from service in a one-day coordinated inspection of commercial trucks carrying hazardous materials. Troopers examined 1,356 trucks August 31 looking for everything from incomplete files to hazardous placard violations. "Possibly things aren't checked properly on the paperwork as far as shipping papers and what's being transported," said Lieutenant Ray Cook. "Then we have some placard violations. Maybe the number of placards aren't (sic) present or the type of placards aren't (sic) present."
Doug Kemp, a motor carrier enforcer with the state police, says accurate paperwork and placards are necessary for the safety of emergency responders. "If there's an accident, before these emergency personnel approach, they can determine what's on that vehicle, and if there's a hazard as far as something like poison inhalation or something that might cause some damage or injuries to the emergency personnel responding," said Kemp.
53% of the trucks inspected had at least one safety violation and inspectors issued 832 citations. State police Troop B, which covers Allegheny, Fayette, Greene and Washington Counties, performed 104 inspections and pulled 10 vehicles out of service. 51 citations and 88 warnings were issued. According to Cook, Troop D inspected 144 trucks in Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence and Mercer Counties. Seven vehicles and three drivers were removed from the road.
