Troopers Catch 95-Foot Truck With Multiple Violations, No Oversized Permit
Multiple violations found on 95-foot commercial vehicle with no oversized permit, Tennessee troopers say
A Tennessee Highway Patrol inspection found multiple safety violations on a commercial vehicle hauling a pickup, including unsecured debris, defective equipment and a vehicle length more than 20 feet beyond the state’s stated maximum, according to the agency.
A Motor Carrier Plus East Region trooper initiated a traffic stop and conducted an inspection of the vehicle, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said in a Nov. 10 social media post. During the inspection, the trooper identified violations that the agency said posed potential hazards to other motorists.
The vehicle measured 95 feet, 7 inches in length. THP said the maximum allowable length was 75 feet, and the vehicle did not have an oversized permit.
The inspection also found the following equipment and load-related violations:
- Unsecured debris spilling from the vehicle onto the roadway
- A broken axle position bolt on the driver’s side of axle No. 4
- Multiple deflated trailer air bags
- Inoperable trailer stop lamps
- An inoperable front passenger-side turn signal
THP did not provide additional details about the vehicle’s operator, carrier, route or any enforcement action resulting from the inspection. The agency’s account also did not state whether the vehicle was placed out of service, whether citations were issued or whether the defects were corrected at the roadside.
For professional drivers, the inspection illustrates how several areas of compliance can come into play during a single traffic stop. Vehicle dimensions and permit requirements apply alongside rules covering load securement, lighting, suspension components and other safety-critical equipment.
Unsecured material that reaches the roadway can create an immediate hazard for following traffic. Defective stop lamps and a failed turn signal can make it harder for other motorists to recognize a commercial vehicle’s intentions, particularly in heavy traffic or poor visibility. Trailer air bags and axle components are also part of the equipment that supports and controls a loaded combination vehicle.
THP said the violations emphasized the importance of proper vehicle maintenance, load securement and compliance with state and federal commercial motor vehicle regulations.
The inspection was conducted by the agency’s Motor Carrier Plus Division, which oversees Tennessee’s commercial vehicle enforcement programs. The division has more than 80 full-time troopers and conducts inspections and weighing operations at fixed-scale facilities and along the road using portable scales.
Its responsibilities include inspecting and weighing commercial motor vehicles, auditing driver records and logs, and conducting highway patrols focused on commercial vehicle violations. The division also provides education on safely sharing the road with commercial vehicles and works with the trucking industry and local law enforcement agencies on training and regulatory guidance.
Motor Carrier Plus oversees eight fixed-scale facilities, the state’s New Entrant program and pupil transportation activities, in addition to federally required commercial vehicle regulation and enforcement programs.
Oversize and overweight requirements can vary based on a vehicle’s dimensions, configuration, route and the type of load being transported. When a permit is required, carriers and drivers are responsible for obtaining the appropriate authorization before operating the vehicle. The inspection described by THP involved a vehicle whose measured length exceeded the maximum cited by the agency, with no oversized permit obtained.
THP did not identify the company involved or provide a specific location for the stop. The agency’s post included photographs showing some of the equipment violations.
