New York State Police handed out more than 530 tickets and pulled nearly 50 commercial vehicles off the road during a targeted enforcement effort along the Thruway.
Troop T conducted the detail Feb. 26 in response to several recent winter crashes involving tractor trailers and other vehicles that caused major traffic disruptions, particularly in western New York.
Troopers issued 535 tickets to passenger and commercial drivers. Of those, 224 — about 42 percent — were for speeding.
Other violations included Move Over Law infractions, distracted driving, seatbelt violations and other traffic offenses. Commercial vehicle citations covered equipment, permit and registration violations.
Members of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit inspected 148 commercial vehicles. Troopers placed 49 vehicles out of service for safety-related violations, including being overweight or over height.
Police also cited 60 commercial drivers who attempted to avoid a checkpoint set up by the enforcement unit.
In addition, Troop T made four DWI arrests during the detail.
State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said targeted enforcement allows troopers to address specific safety concerns and remove unsafe drivers and vehicles from the road.
Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said ensuring commercial vehicles are properly maintained and operated safely is critical to protecting motorists who rely on the highway system.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].