Starting tomorrow, Michigan State Police (MSP) motor carrier officers will join over 9,000 federal, state and local truck and bus inspectors from the United States, Canada and Mexico for the 20^th Annual International Roadcheck, which runs through June 7.

Officers will focus on safety belt use, driver qualifications, homeland security issues and the seizure of illegal contraband in an effort to increase commercial vehicle safety.  Commercial motor vehicle safety inspections will be conducted at weigh stations on major routes throughout Michigan, and there will be special patrols at bridges and rest areas.

"This operation helps determine the status of truck safety in Michigan and provides us with an opportunity to increase awareness of truck safety issues," said Captain Robert R. Powers, Jr., commander of the MSP Traffic Safety Division.

Last year, there were 60,357 commercial vehicle inspections conducted during Roadcheck.  Michigan officers conducted 1,269 of those inspections, resulting in 287 vehicles and 52 drivers being placed out of service.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY: The media is invited to ride-along with officers participating in Roadcheck.