April 19, 2005

East Lansing - The Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Division are again s tarting to conduct truck enforcement operations in earnest all over the state. Special Transportation Enforcement Team (STET) operations will be conducted by Motor Carrier Division enforcement officers in an effort to address identified traffic problems within their respective district. This year’ s enforcement efforts will include statewide operations which will focus on speeding trucks, seat belt use and driver qualifications. While the operations are actually conducted year-round, spring, summer and fall are the heaviest times for these operations due to the increase in commercial vehicle traffic.

STET operations use a variety of methods to enforce Michigan’s commercial vehicle laws, including weigh stations, rest areas and mobile patrols. Depending on the focus of the specific operation, officers may be out enforcing traffic laws on commercial vehicles, conducting truck inspections, enforcing driver qualification requirements or conducting weight enforcement.

The Motor Carrier Division will deploy additional patrols during the summer months to address seat belt usage by commercial vehicle drivers as well as speeding trucks and overweight vehicles. A recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Study shows that nationally, only about 49% of truck drivers buckle up. Motorists are reminded to use caution if they encounter a truck operation as trucks may be slowing and attempting to maneuver through traffic. Be aware that the presence of one Motor Carrier patrol vehicle may indicate that other vehicles are also operating in the area, which may affect traffic conditions ahead.

Motorists are also reminded that studies show that approximately 70 percent of all truck-car fatal crashes are caused by an error on the part of the passenger car driver. Passenger car drivers should "Share the Road" and stay out of the "No Zones." Information on the US Department of Transportation’s "Share the Road" and "No Zone" campaigns can be found at http://www.sharetheroadsafely.org/.