Safety Inspection



Random truck inspections conducted in June by Troop T, the state police who patrol the Turnpike, resulted in the removal of 125 vehicles from the highway due to safety violations. A total of 339 vehicles were found to be in violation of safety standards out of the 369 vehicles stopped for inspection during June 1stthrough 7th, the week designated as International Highway Safety Week. The safety inspections were conducted at the Gateway, Somerset and Breezewood Interchanges, the former Denver Service Plaza near the Reading Interchange and at the Delaware River Bridge. State Police issued 293 vehicle defect citations and an additional 1,317-vehicle defect warnings. Also issued were 179 driver citations (logbook violations) and 453 driver warnings. (Drivers can be given multiple warnings.) Twenty-five drivers had their licenses suspended as a result of the safety campaign. Safety is the top priority of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission," said Executive Director John T. Durbin. "Troop T’s aggressive enforcement of applicable safety laws and regulations is part of our ongoing efforts to provide the safest travelling environment possible for all of our customers." Two truck safety checkpoints, one, near New Stanton and the other, at the former Denver Service Plaza, are maintained by the Turnpike on a permanent basis. Truck inspections, under the State Police Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) are conducted periodically across the entire Turnpike system. Troopers examine tires, brakes, lights and other mechanical items. They also inspect driver logbooks and medical records.
During the first five months of the year, Troop T conducted 1,577 truck inspections, issuing 2,538 citations. Drivers placed out-of-service numbered 150, while 711 vehicles were placed out of service. A total of 7,164 warnings were issued. Trashnet is another program conducted by Troop T of the Bowmansville barracks, which involves commercial vehicles, namely trash haulers who use the Turnpike system. Trashnet was initiated in 1996 to address ongoing complaints and problems in the area of the Morgantown Interchange (Exit #22), with regard to escaping trash and rubbish from untarped trucks travelling to a Morgantown landfill. As a result of the enforcement and vehicle inspection effort of Troop T and Reading’s Troop L, the Turnpike has been highly effective in identifying and reducing the number of commercial violators. Captain Richard Stein of Troop T said "Typically, of all the vehicles stopped and inspected, more than 50 percent are placed out of service. Since we began the Trashnet inspections, complaints have gone down to practically nothing." From January to May, the state police issued 75 warnings and 52 citations.