NYSP Inspection Campaign Finds More Than 900 Commercial Vehicle Violations

A New York State Police commercial vehicle enforcement campaign resulted in 966 violations, 126 out-of-service vehicles, and renewed warnings about over-height trucks and bridge strikes.

A targeted commercial vehicle enforcement campaign conducted by the New York State Police resulted in nearly 1,000 violations and more than 100 trucks being placed out of service as officials continue working to reduce bridge strikes and improve highway safety.

The enforcement effort was part of the “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign, which took place at the end of July along the New York State Thruway. According to the New York State Police, the initiative combined driver education with targeted enforcement to prevent bridge and overpass strikes involving commercial motor vehicles.

Nearly 350 Commercial Vehicles Inspected

During the campaign, Troop T’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit conducted 348 commercial vehicle inspections across the state.

Inspectors placed 126 commercial vehicles out of service after identifying safety-related violations that prohibited the vehicles from continuing operation until the issues were corrected.

In total, troopers documented 966 violations during the enforcement effort.

Enforcement Included Traffic and Equipment Violations

The New York State Police also issued 189 uniform traffic tickets covering a range of offenses, including speeding, seat belt and restraint violations, cellphone use while driving, registration issues and licensing violations.

Troopers identified five over-height commercial vehicles during the campaign, one of the enforcement priorities tied directly to the initiative.

Bridge Strikes Remain a Safety Concern

According to the New York State Police, more than 375 bridge strikes have been recorded on the New York State Thruway over the past five years. Officials noted that recent bridge strikes in both downstate New York and Western New York highlight the importance of knowing a vehicle’s height before beginning a trip and selecting routes that avoid low-clearance structures.

The Thruway Authority reminds commercial drivers that the maximum legal vehicle height on the New York State Thruway is 13 feet, 6 inches. Vehicles exceeding that height must obtain the appropriate permit before traveling on the system.