The Indiana State Police, Illinois State Police and Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement saturated the southwest corner of Indiana, the northwest corner of Kentucky and the southeast corner of Illinois throughout the day yesterday conducting an enforcement blitz targeting overweight vehicles, unsafe commercial motor vehicles and unsafe drivers within the three state area. 93 Enforcement officers from the three states as well as three Special Agents from the Department of Revenue checking vehicles for the use of off road fuel on the highways participated. Off road use fuel is untaxed and not allowed for road use.

There were 64 CMV’s were found to be overweight, 351 CMV’s inspected resulting in 968 total safety violations. Of the total violations, 119 vehicles and 29 drivers were placed Out of Service for out of service violations. There were 277 traffic tickets issued for a wide variety of violations including Operating While Suspended, Failure to move over for Stopped Emergency Vehicle and Illegal Use of Dyed Fuel with 578 warning tickets were issued for less serious violations.

Additionally while on the way to the KIITE project, at approximately 0330, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement units were called to an accident that occurred on I-70 at the 27 mm. The vehicle was loaded with corrosive batteries. Upon investigation, the driver was cited for Logbook violations, Possession of Marijuana and Operating a Vehicle While Impaired (tested positive for marijuana). She was transported to Clay Vincent Hospital with non-threatening injuries. Local Fire Departments and a Hazardous Response Team were on the scene. Hazardous Materials cleanup was required.

Also 4:00 PM, September 29, the Owensville Town Marshall called the Evansville Post requesting assistance with an oversize vehicle stuck trying to make turns in Owensville. Major Ed Reuter, Trooper Jim Jackson, MCI Peggie Wood and MCI/DC Karen McCloud went to the scene. It took about 3 1/2 hours to get him unstuck and turned around. The vehicle when weighed by Indiana State Police officers weighed 211,200 pounds. The driver was issued 4 citations, Violation of oversize permit, Overweight vehicle gross 211,200/80,000=l31,200 pounds overweight, over width 15'9"/8'6" and over length vehicle 125'/53'. Normally an overweight of that nature is fined $10,000. The permit that had been issued for 199,000 was revoked and the driver was told his company would have to re-apply. When exceeding the permitted weight, the allowable weight drops back to 80,000.

Statistics indicate the following breakdown of crashes in 2003 for the three states.

The primary focus of this project was for drivers and companies to seek compliance of State and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to enhance safety of all drivers on our highways and reduce deaths.

Additional patrols will be planned and take place throughout the year.