The annual “Operation Southern Shield”, targeting safe operation of commercial vehicles on State and Federal highways will take place March 1-3 in southern Arizona.
Operation Southern Shield occurs in the southern Arizona area and seeks to ensure that all commercial vehicles and drivers are in compliance with Federal Motor Safety Regulations. Commercial vehicle inspectors will be conducting roving patrols on Interstate 10 from Tucson to the New Mexico border and Interstate 19 to the Mexico border. Additionally, a stationary inspection site will be at the Canoa Rest Area on Interstate 19. During inspections, commercial vehicle inspectors will be looking for the following:
- Commercial vehicles that are mechanically unsafe for operation on the highways. This will include the security of loads being carried.
- Drivers who fail to wear safety restraints.
- Drivers who are fatigued, ill, impaired, or otherwise unable to safely operate a commercial vehicle.
- Drivers who are in violation of federal hours of service laws.
As in past operations, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (ADPS) Commercial Vehicle Unit will be conducting Driver Awareness Regulation Training (DART), a program developed by the unit to educate commercial vehicle drivers on the latest, up to date information regarding rules and regulations governing the commercial vehicle industry. The DART van will be located at the TTT Truck Stop located on Interstate 10 at the Craycroft Exit, March 1st and 2nd from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
An additional training opportunity will be made available to the public this year. ADPS and the Arizona Trucking Association will have a “Share the Road” display at the Walmart Supercenter located at 8280 N. Cortaro Road in Marana on March 1st to 2nd from 8:00am to 5:00pm. “Share the Road” is a safety program developed by the Arizona Trucking Association to promote safe driving around large trucks. On display will be a “Share the Road/No Zone” commercial vehicle which the public will be able to go into to experience what a commercial vehicle driver sees when driving.
Captain Jeff Lane said, “I feel that operations, such as Operation Southern Shield, demonstrates the dedication that ADPS and partners have to providing education to commercial vehicle drivers. We are striving to help provide safer travel on Arizona highways”
In addition to ADPS the following agencies will be participating in this year’s Operation Southern Shield:
- Arizona Department of Transportation
- Arizona Trucking Association
- Federal Motor Safety Administration
- Marana Police Department
- Oro Valley Police Department
- Tucson Police Department
The Arizona Department of Public Safety is a state-level law enforcement agency whose mission is to protect human life and property by enforcing state laws, deterring criminal activity, ensuring highway and public safety.