Three Day Enforcement Initiative Conducted Throughout the State to Reduce Commercial Motor Vehicle Crashes

Beginning on Tuesday September 21, 2021 through Thursday September 23, 2021 members of New Hampshire State Police – Troop G conducted an enforcement initiative to reduce the amount of motor vehicle crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. Troopers from Troop G specifically focused their enforcement efforts on ensuring that vehicles were driving in a safe manner. Troopers also conducted roadside inspections of commercial motor vehicles throughout the State to ensure that drivers were compliant with hours of service, that drivers had obtained proper licensing credentials, that commercial motors vehicles were in safe mechanical operating condition, and that they complied with size and weight laws. Members of Troop G are highly skilled Troopers who have received specialized training to conduct roadside inspections of commercial motor vehicles. In addition, members of Troop G regulate and enforce laws and rules governing automotive dealerships and the State of New Hampshire Safety Inspection program.

During this three-day long event, Troopers inspected 326 commercial motor vehicles. Troopers also discovered 297 violations, of which 48 were so severe that they created a condition where the vehicle or its driver were placed out of service. In total, 18 vehicles were placed out of service for critical safety violations such as inoperative brakes, defective brake components and worn steering components, while 12 drivers were placed out of service for violations including not possessing a valid medical certificate, possession of marijuana, not maintaining records of driving hours, operating while under suspension and not holding the proper class of driver’s license. Troopers issued 16 citations as a result of commercial motor vehicle inspections. 20 commercial vehicles were also checked for size and weight enforcement. Troopers also stopped several passenger vehicles that failed to comply with State of New Hampshire Safety Inspection requirements.

In Newport on Wednesday morning September 22nd, Sgt. Scott Atherton and TFC Mark Magoon assisted Newport Police Department with a Commercial Vehicle dump truck vs pick-up truck head-on crash on Route 10. On-scene investigation revealed that the pick-up lost control and went into the path of the dump truck where they hit head-on. The driver of the pick-up sustained serious injuries and was transported to the hospital. The passenger in the pick-up sustained non-life threatening injuries and was also transported to the hospital. The driver of the dump truck was not injured.

In Claremont on Wednesday afternoon September 22nd, TFC Mark Magoon assisted Claremont Police Department with a crash on River Road in Claremont. On-scene investigation revealed that a passenger vehicle was stopped preparing to take a left hand turn, the operator of the Commercial Vehicle was not able to stop in time so he drove the dump truck, loaded with fill off to the right side of the road into a ditch and striking several trees. The Dump Truck had several out of service issues as a result of the incident. An excavator was brought in to remove the load before SG Reeds Truck Service was able to upright the vehicle due to the axles becoming detached. The operator had proper class of license and was valid. Fortunately, there were no injuries in this crash.

In Concord on Thursday afternoon September 23rd, TFC Derek Holston was on patrol northbound on Interstate 93. At the time, he was behind a tractor-trailer unit that was also traveling northbound. Due to his training and experience, he was able to identify that the trailer had brake components hanging and out of place. TFC Holston was able stop the Commercial Vehicle and perform a safety inspection on the truck, trailer and operator. Several safety violations were discovered on the truck and trailer as well as the operator was found to have a false log incorrectly reporting his hours of service. The Commercial Vehicle and the operator were placed out of service and the vehicle was towed from the highway.

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