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Highlands Today

Commercial Vehicle Inspections

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Bob Cartwright

Published: March 13, 2009

After living 60 years in another state, I now make my home in Florida. Since arriving here, I took notice of the lack of commercial vehicle enforcement by Florida and local area law enforcement.
What tripped my trigger was a semi that recently had his exhaust brake activated and was very loud.
I heard this guy a mile before the intersection of Schumacher Road and U.S. 27. And I continued to hear him as he traveled south from Schumacher Road. Exhaust brakes are not loud if the vehicle is equipped with the proper equipment. But coupled with twin straight pipes and no mufflers (yes folks, no mufflers) it is loud, and that's what people complain about.
But more concerning to me are the unsecured loads that are obvious. Large heavy equipment and building materials without load chains securing them to the beds of equipment trailers and trucks.
Is state and local law enforcement not enforcing state and federal laws? Surely Florida DOT enforcement should, but it appears they may not being doing all that they can. I have never seen a state trooper behind a commercial vehicle on a stop, unless the vehicle was in a crash, stalled or blocking.
Is the Florida Highway Patrol not charged with commercial vehicle enforcement? DOT enforcement is working the commercial vehicles, but what are they enforcing? Are roadside equipment and load securement inspections occurring when DOT has a commercial vehicle stopped? It's a dirty job but someone must do it.
I personally have seen what large unsecured loads can do to automobiles and their passengers. It is not pretty and very sad.
I have 28 years of law enforcement, 22 years as a state trooper, four of which was commercial vehicle enforcement.
I can assure everyone reading this letter that in my home state all public safety agencies enforce commercial vehicle laws. The local police departments, the sheriff's offices, the state patrol and DOT enforcement work literally side by side to stop unsafe commercial vehicles from using the states highways.
I am quite sure Florida has similar state laws requiring secure loads, unsafe equipment, and driver rules. I'm also sure Florida has adopted 49CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) for commercial vehicles and drivers. Why aren't these tools being used? The bad vehicle owners and operators are thumbing their noses at you law enforcement. I see it everyday and it scares me.
Bob Cartwright
Sebring

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