June 5, 2006

EAST LANSING.  From June 6-8, motor carrier officers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Motor Carrier Division will join over 9,000 federal, state and local truck and bus inspectors from the United States, Canada and Mexico for the 19^th Annual International Roadcheck. 

Officers participating in the effort will conduct traffic enforcement and commercial vehicle inspections focusing on safety belt use, driver qualifications, homeland security issues and seizure of illegal contraband in an effort to increase commercial vehicle safety.

Inspections will be conducted at weigh stations on major routes throughout Michigan.  There will also be special patrols at bridges and rest areas.

“This operation helps determine the status of truck safety in Michigan and provides an opportunity for us to increase awareness of truck safety issues among the general public,” said Captain Robert R. Powers, Jr., commander of the MSP Motor Carrier Division.

There were 61,278 commercial vehicle inspections conducted during the 18^th Annual Roadcheck in 2005.  Michigan officers conducted 1,057 of those inspections, which resulted in 271 vehicles and 47 drivers being placed out of service.

The media is invited to ride-along with officers participating in Roadcheck.  For additional information or to schedule a ride-along, contact:  Lieutenant David Ford, MSP Motor Carrier Division, (517) 336-6449