During a one-day enforcement blitz focusing on inspecting commercial vehicle brakes, Pennsylvania State Police and motor carrier enforcement officers placed 282 trucks out of service and issued 945 traffic violations.
The enforcement effort, called Operation Airbrake, took place May 5.

"The teams did roadside inspections and educated drivers and mechanics on the importance of proper brake maintenance," said Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski. "Improperly adjusted air brakes increase the stopping distance for large vehicles, which increases the risk to the driver of the vehicle and others on the road."

The state inspected 1,273 commercial vehicles during the blitz. Officers also handed out 1,929 written warnings for vehicle and driver violations and placed 36 drivers out of service. Two commercial vehicle drivers were arrested for driving under the influence.

Pawlowski said having improperly adjusted brakes was the most common reason for vehicles being placed out of service.

Operation Airbrake was sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, an organization whose membership includes law enforcement officials, truck and bus companies, industry associations and insurance companies in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.