News Releases

MCPD Motor Carrier Safety Program - Commercial Vehicle Unit 2023 Roundup

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Gaithersburg, MD - The Montgomery County Department of Police - Motor Carrier Safety Program, also known as the Commercial Vehicle Unit (CVU), has demonstrated exceptional dedication and effectiveness throughout 2023. Established with the mission to ensure the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles, protect public health and safety, and enforce relevant regulations, the CVU has made significant contributions to traffic safety and homeland security.

The CVU focuses on education, community outreach, and enforcement to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. In 2022, Maryland had 4,181 collisions involving these vehicles, with 59 being fatal. Nationwide, there were 183,028 crashes and 5,460 lives lost.

Throughout 2023, the CVU conducted a total of 952 inspections, detecting 2,457 violations. Notably, they completed 71 hazmat inspections, contributing to the overall safety of transporting hazardous materials.

In addition to routine inspections, the unit participated in post-crash inspections, including six for Montgomery County government vehicles. They also conducted roadside weight enforcement, issuing 81 citations and 687 warnings to promote compliance.

The CVU is committed to community outreach, providing information to companies, conducting DOT training, and collaborating with agencies such as MCDOT, EMOC/Ride On, and the police Citizens Academy. The unit handles truck complaints, enforces commercial vehicle restrictions on MacArthur Blvd, and contributes to improving traffic safety.

In FY23, the CVU received $20,000 in grant funds from the Maryland State Highway Administration, enabling them to perform 219 inspections. During these inspections, 645 violations were detected, with 16 drivers and 56 vehicles placed out of service.

Originally part of the MCPD Special Operations Division, the CVU, established in the 1980s, moved to the Traffic Operations Division in 2005. In 2011, the unit expanded to include full-time inspectors and currently has 15 decentralized and two centralized inspectors. These inspectors undergo extensive training, with centralized inspectors obtaining advanced FMCSA certifications.

Businesses and individuals interested in more information about roadside inspections and commercial vehicle safety are welcome to visit [email protected].

 

 

 

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Release ID: 24-019
Media Contact: S.D. Goff 
Categories: press-releases