The highways in Northern Arizona witnessed a surge of activity as law enforcement officers swarmed the I-17 and I-40, conducting a meticulous operations dubbed "International Roadcheck" between May 14 and May 16. The routine yet critical safety operation was part of a broader, annual crackdown on commercial transportation, spanning Canada, Mexico, and the United States, designed to ensure that commercial vehicles and their drivers adhere to regulations crucial for road safety, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS).
The Arizona Commercial Vehicle Safety Partnership (ACVSP) spearheaded the local effort, pooling resources from AZDPS’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau troopers, and Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Enforcement and Compliance Division officers. Collaborating units, included the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and local enforcement like Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, and the Buckeye Police Department, completed a total of 1,093 inspections — a testament to their commitment towards minimizing the risks heavy vehicles could impose when protocols are sidelined.
Over the course of three days, officers carried out inspections at selected highway points and ports of entry across Northern Arizona. The enforcement areas were specifically along Interstate 17, from McGuireville up through Flagstaff and on Interstate 40 extending to the Parks rest areas. These strategic spots were subjected to heightened scrutiny as officers endeavored to intercept any violations that could compromise the safety dialogue on these stretches of asphalt.
According to AZDPS, the operation, which is championed by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), drew critical numbers, exposing 3,126 driver/vehicle examination report (DVER) violations. Of the examined cases, 101 drivers and 183 vehicles were handed out-of-service orders for diverse safety infractions. Notably, the effort not only brought to light compliance issues but also led to the arrest of two individuals on felony warrants and issuance of 73 citations.
The series of inspections were also underscored by an informative two-day "Share the Road" outreach event in Flagstaff. Orchestrated in partnership with Walmart, the initiative sought to educate motorists on the significance of safe driving conduct in the proximity of larger vehicles. Meanwhile, 125 industry professionals from the Arizona Trucking Association stood as witnesses to the rigorous inspection procedures, solidifying a multi-stakeholder commitment to secure commercial transport across the state.
