Focused Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement

On July 9, 2019 through July 10, 2019 members of New Hampshire State Police – Troop G Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Unit conducted inspections of commercial motor vehicles throughout the State of New Hampshire. Members of Troop G are highly skilled Troopers who have received specialized training to conduct roadside inspections of commercial motor vehicles. In an effort to reduce traffic collisions involving large vehicles, Troopers from Troop G specifically focused their enforcement efforts on truck and trailer combinations with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, in order to ensure that vehicles were in safe mechanical operating condition, drivers were compliant with hours of service, and that drivers had obtained proper licensing credentials.

During the 48 hour event, Troopers inspected a total of 122 commercial motor vehicles. Troopers issued 7 CVSA decals to commercial motor vehicles that passed a Level I inspection where no critical violations were found according to the North American Standard Out-of- Service Criteria. Troopers also discovered 280 violations, of which 71 were so severe that they created a condition where the vehicle or its driver was placed out of service. In total, 26 vehicles were placed out of service for critical safety violations, while 16 drivers were placed out of service for violations including possessing drugs, violating restrictions of driving hours, and not holding the proper class of driver's license. Troopers issued 25 citations and as a result of commercial motor vehicle inspections.

In Windham, Trooper First Class Derek Holston stopped a 2008 Dodge Ram towing a 2005 Kaufman trailer. As a result of the inspection, TFC Holston discovered numerous violations including improper load securement, as multiple tie down straps securing the load to the trailer were damaged; a flat tire; damage to the trailer's suspension, as a spring hanger was cracked where it attached to the frame; and a broken leaf spring that was kept in place with zip ties.

In Salem, TFC Holston stopped a 2019 Ford F-series truck towing a 2019 Kaufman trailer after observing improper use of emergency lighting. During the inspection, TFC Holston discovered that the vehicle's combined gross vehicle weight rating was listed as 26,000 pounds, however the vehicle's actual weight was 27,350 pounds. As a result, it was found that the driver did not possess a CDL A driver license required to operate the vehicle.

In Hampton, Trooper First Class Michael Berntsen stopped a 2005 Ford F-series towing a 2019 Novea Corp. trailer. During the inspection, TFC Berntsen found that the driver did not possess a CDL A driver license required to operate the vehicle, the driver did not possess a valid medical card, the driver did not have a record of duty status when one was required, the company had failed to obtain a registration with the Department of Transportation, the company did not have required insurance to allow for Operating Authority, and that the trailer's emergency braking device was not attached to the truck.

The New Hampshire State Police are committed to ensuring safe travel throughout the State and will continue our efforts to reduce collisions during the summer season.

Photos taken during the 48 hour enforcement event are attached below.

A commercial motor vehicle was placed out
of service after Troopers discovered that
multiple tie down straps securing the load
to the trailer were damaged.

A car carrier whose driver was found to be under suspension.

A commercial motor vehicle was placed out
of service for numerous violations, including
using zip ties to keep broken suspension
components in place.