DPS moves to sideline dangerous trucks

AUSTIN (TKXAN) - More than 66,000 unsafe trucks have been taken off Texas roads under an enhanced enforcement program run by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

More than 12,000 commercial truck drivers with unsafe records are also off the road, DPS Director Steven McCraw said at Thursday's Public Safety Commission  meeting.

Since the first of the year, DPS' Commercial Vehicle Enforcement personnel and specially trained Highway Patrol troopers have inspected 331,505 commercial vehicles, McCraw said. As a result, DPS removed 66,189 unsafe commercial vehicles and 12,301 unsafe commercial vehicle drivers from Texas roads for a variety of safety violations.

“Commercial vehicles are responsible for approximately 15 percent of the fatalities in Texas crashes,” said McCraw.  “Most commercial vehicle operators obey the law; however, those who choose to drive unsafe commercial vehicles or drive a commercial vehicle unsafely pose a serious threat to the motoring public.”

The agency calls the effort Operation Texas Thunder.

“The outstanding work by our troopers and inspectors has undoubtedly prevented accidents and saved lives,” said Public Safety Chairman Allan Polunsky. “Our enforcement efforts send a message to unsafe drivers and companies inclined to violate the law and place innocent people in danger."