For further information please contact: Sergeant D.S. Bracker
(417)895-6767 ext.253
D2007-29
December 10, 2007

EMPHASIS: Highway Patrol Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Teams, (CVETs) Begin Initiative .


Beginning today, December 10, 2007, Troop D CVETs will be conducting a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) aggressive driving campaign. There are four CVET members in Troop D that will direct their efforts, during this initiative, toward commercial motor vehicles performing hazardous moving violations. Truck drivers following too close, speeding, and/or driving recklessly, as well as vehicles driven carelessly near commercial vehicles will be targeted. The goal of the operation is to lower commercial motor vehicle crashes through enforcement and education.

The operation will take place in Christian, Greene, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Taney and Webster counties, and will concentrate primarily on Interstate 44. In the counties which are not traversed by I-44, other four-lane highways will be the primary focus. The majority of commercial vehicle traffic in Troop D travels on I-44, U.S. Highway 65, and U.S. Highway 71, which are covered under the eight project counties. This project is funded federally through the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP).

In 2006, 10.3 percent of all traffic accidents in Missouri involved a commercial motor vehicle, consistant with the rate in 2005. Of all fatal accidents in 2006, 15.7 percent involved a commercial motor vehicle. The majority of the accidents occurred on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

For further information on this initiative please contact Sergeant Dan S. Bracker at 417-895-6767 ext. 253, or Sergeant Kent Casey at 417-359-1500 ext. 2229.