Federal law enforcement officials and police from four southern states combined forces for an inspection blitz of commercial vehicles last weekend.
Officials from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration participated in what was called ‘Operation Saturday Night Fever,’ an overnight commercial motor vehicle inspection initiative Sept. 26. The FMCSA said the operation targeted unsafe drivers, hazardous vehicles, and violations along major freight corridors.
The operation took place in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.
FMCSA said their Safety Investigators joined Department of Homeland Security officers and state police to conduct inspections. They sought to verify driver credentials, check for fatigue, evaluate electronic logging devices, look for distracted driving or unsecured cargo, and assess drivers' English language proficiency.
The operation resulted in:
- 552 inspections
- 78 drivers placed out of service (including 12 for English language proficiency violations, and several drivers with non-domiciled commercial driver licenses)
- 25 vehicles placed out of service
“This operation reflects the strength of our law enforcement partnerships and our shared responsibility to keep America’s roads safe,” said FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs. “By working together and focusing our enforcement, we can identify unsafe drivers and vehicles, disrupt criminal activity, and protect the integrity of our transportation system."
English language proficiency and drivers holding non-domiciled CDLs have become major focuses for the FMCSA and the DHS. They are seen as part of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement agenda.
