State, federal officials conduct 1,724 inspections in Arkansas enforcement

During a recent two-day enforcement effort, Arkansas Highway Police placed nearly 400 drivers and trucks out of service. 

Arkansas Highway Police (AHP) partnered with United States Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Oct. 27 through Oct. 29 for Operation Highway Shield.

Arkansas Highway PoliceOperation Highway Shield is a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) enforcement and highway criminal interdiction operation aimed at addressing CMV safety and criminal activity along Arkansas highways. Throughout the 48-hour operation, AHP held enhanced operations at designated weigh stations along approved interstate and highway corridors.

Over the course of the 48-hour operation, 1,724 FMSCA inspections were conducted. As a result:

• 393 drivers and CMVs were placed out of service
• more than 330 unqualified or unauthorized drivers were identified
• 74 immigration violations resulted in federal immigration enforcement
• 183 English language proficiency disqualifications were made
• more than 1,000 motor carrier safety violations were identified
• 369 traffic citations and/or warnings were given
• 44 criminal arrests were made
• one stolen trailer was recovered

“Operation Highway Shield sends a clear message: If you put safety at risk, we will hold you accountable,” FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs said. “By joining forces with the Arkansas Highway Patrol and federal partners, we are putting more boots on the ground, identifying unsafe drivers and vehicles, and taking decisive action to keep dangerous operators off our roadways."