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Hundreds Of Citations Issued In Md. Commercial Vehicle Inspection

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A commercial vehicle inspection conducted by the Maryland State Police has wrapped up and the numbers are in.

Rochelle Ritchie has more on the hundreds of citations issued and how the State Highway Administration is keeping track of violators.

At least 21 drivers were barred from driving because of violations. Two others were arrested because of outstanding warrants. The inspections have come to an end--for now.

After 562 inspections, 172 citations and 402 warnings were handed out during a two-day inspection sweep in which Maryland State Police escorted hundreds of commercial drivers to M&T Bank Stadium for unexpected inspections, leaving some waiting for hours.

Ritchie: "How long you been here?"

Driver: "At least two hours, going on maybe three."

Many are making repairs on the spot before being allowed back on the road.

The inspections are all part of a statewide effort to keep drivers safe and commercial vehicles obeying safety guidelines.

"We want to make sure we keep the truck related crashes and fatalities as minimum as possible," said Captain N.W. Dofflemyer, Maryland State Police.

While some are upset about the inspections, officials with the State Highway Administration say some are secretly thankful.

"There's a lot more truck drivers out there that appreciate what's going on because they can't say something to their boss. They'll lose their job," said Dave Czorapinski, State Highway Administration.

Problems with commercial vehicles can prove dangerous, if not deadly.

Just this month, there was a near death experience for a commercial driver after he ignored the wind restriction placed on the Bay Bridge. Fifty mile per hour winds nearly sent the empty tractor trailer diving into the bay.

The inspections are over for now, but commercial drivers are still being closely monitored by the State Highway Administration. Sensors on the roads show who is following the rules, even when troopers aren't in sight.

Those sensors show just how much a truck weighs and its speed. The State Highway Administration says overweight trucks cost the state millions every year in road repairs.

According to a study, Maryland has led the nation in the number of truck safety inspections in the last two years.

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