Patrol to focus on commercial vehicle safety in Big Horn Basin

September 13, 2013

Wyoming Highway Patrol teams will be working in the Big Horn Basin Sept. 16-20 to educate commercial vehicle drivers about the importance of driving safely and maintaining a safe vehicle and to remove unsafe vehicles from the road.

Troopers and port of entry personnel will be working as a Mobile Enforcement and Education Team (MEET) in Big Horn, Park, Washakie and Hot Springs counties during the five-day period.

They will focus on commercial vehicle safety violations as well as commercial vehicle driver qualifications and log books.

The Patrol is charged with ensuring the safe operation of all commercial vehicles within the state, and MEET details go to remote and suspected problem areas to detect violations and educate drivers.

“Education has proven to be an effective way to improve safety, but at times enforcement also is necessary and a citation can be the most effective means of education,” Patrol Col. John Butler said.

The teams utilize four modified 15-passenger vans, a motor home, one set of semi-portable scales, one portable weigh-in-motion scale and 12 sets of portable scales.

They conduct Federal Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and have proven to be a great tool to help WYDOT and the Patrol achieve their goals of providing safe highways and protecting the current infrastructure.

During 2012, 28 MEET details across the state weighed 1,198 commercial vehicles, finding 160 overweight violations. The teams performed 1,335 inspections on drivers and vehicles, putting 501 unsafe vehicles and 130 drivers out of service.