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Mar 27, 2008 4:24 pm US/Central
Dallas Police Work To Keep Unsafe Trucks Off Roads
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Dallas Police say the biggest threat to public safety may be next to you on the road.
The department conducted a major safety inspection of commercial trucks today along I-20 at Dowdy Ferry Road.
More than one third of the 23 big rigs and haulers stopped by Dallas Police on I-20 this morning failed to meet safety inspections and were ordered off the road until repairs were made.
"Right now, with fuel costs, everything being so expensive, they might shy away from safety to save a dollar or two," commented trucker Randy Gillan.
The inspections mark the start of more aggressive enforcement of commercial truck safety after a
series of deadly accidents in the city.
"I think it is something we should be aware of, just like our annual checkups for our bodies," said Dallas Police Lieutenant Charlie Epperson.
The inspectors found some 18-wheelers operating with less than half their brakes working.
One trucker was ordered to secure his load.
Officers say the loose load could have easily caused the truck to overturn.
"There really are some courteous truck driver," said motorist Newt Turner. "Then there are some, all they think about is their own self on the highways."
Another driver was ordered to sit for ten hours because of an incomplete log of his time behind the wheel.
"I just forgot to do it," said driver Charles Brice.
"I didn't do it this morning, got in here last night."
Federal regulations limit the number of hours commercial truck drivers can drive in a single day.
The mechanics who are being called on to fix the problems say it's not their fault.
"The drivers are the people who need to inspect the trucks more," said mechanic Roman Diaz.
"It's not the mechanic's job, it's the driver's."
While drivers and mechanics pass blame, police are doing all they can to put the brakes on unsafe commercial traffic.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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