State Police and DOT Inspect 36 Buses and Take 10 Bus Drivers Out of Service Through Roadside Inspections

ALBANY, NY (03/17/2011)(readMedia)-- New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D'Amico and New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald announced preliminary results of inspection and enforcement efforts conducted today as part of enhanced commercial vehicle inspection and enforcement efforts in New York State.

Today, inspections were conducted at the Champlain Border Crossing, Monticello Bus Terminal and the Nassau Coliseum. As of 3:00 p.m., preliminary findings reflect that 36 buses were inspected, 10 drivers were placed out of service, 8 traffic tickets were issued, and no vehicles were placed out of service. Drivers taken out of service means that the driver could no longer operate the bus and the operator would have to send a new driver to complete the trip.

At the Champlain Border Crossing in Northern New York, 10 buses were inspected, 2 drivers placed out of service for having no log book, 1 traffic ticket was issued, and no vehicles were placed out of service.

At the Nassau Coliseum location on Long Island, 5 buses were inspected, 2 drivers were placed out of service for log book infractions, and no vehicles were placed out of service.

At the Monticello location in Sullivan County, 21 buses were inspected, 6 drivers were placed out of service, 7 traffic tickets were issued for various vehicle and driver violations, and no vehicles were placed out of service.

Over the next several weeks, Troopers and DOT Inspectors will conduct additional checkpoints, and Troopers will conduct "saturation" patrols throughout the state at undisclosed locations and times. These special details will complement the State Police's normal enforcement activities during this period. Motorists can assist these efforts by safely reporting dangerous, aggressive or suspected impaired operation of motor coaches to police.

"As always, our Troopers will help ensure that all vehicles traveling our highways do so in a safe manner," D'Amico said, "Through this focused enforcement, we will work to ensure compliance and deter distracted, fatigued, unsafe and impaired driving. Our Troopers will not tolerate driving behaviors that pointlessly put other highway users in danger."

"The Department conducts regular bus inspections throughout the year, and in 2010 conducted more than 160,000 statewide, to assure that busses and drivers are in compliance with regulations," said Commissioner McDonald. "Working with the State Police and other law enforcement, the DOT is stepping up roadside safety inspections. As always, drivers and buses found to be unsafe will be removed from the road."

Thousands of roadside safety and regular commercial vehicle inspections are conducted each year by DOT and the State Police. While most vehicles and drivers are found to operate safely, some are found to be in violation of regulations, with infractions ranging from minor (ie: marker light failure) to major (ie: brake failure).

The New York State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit and the New York State Department of Transportation commercial vehicle safety inspectors will continue to inspect drivers and vehicles at origin and destination locations common for commercial bus operators throughout New York State. Together, the Troopers and DOT inspectors conduct safety inspections to ensure driver and vehicle compliance with state and federal laws.

Troopers will also continue enforcement efforts directed toward moving traffic violations with special attention to motor coach activity.

Last Saturday, a bus traveling from Connecticut carrying 32 passengers crashed on the Westchester County/Bronx border, killing 15 passengers. New York State Police and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continue with the investigation. Only days later, this past Monday, another bus traveling from New York City en route to Philadelphia crashed in New Jersey, killing the driver and a passenger.

For further information on these designated traffic and enforcement initiatives, please contact your local Troop Headquarters. For a list of Troop Headquarters, please go to: www.troopers.state.ny.us/Contact_Us/Troop_Information.

For information about NYSDOT's bus inspection program, please go to: https://www.nysdot.gov/divisions/operating/osss/bus/inspection.

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