Dearborn, Melvindale Police Departments Team Up to Enforce Truck Safety

Beginning this week, the Dearborn Police Department is teaming up with four other law enforcement agencies to monitor safety regulations, traffic laws and ordinances for trucks and commercial vehicles.

The enforcement will take place this week and next week, and includes participation from the Melvindale Police Department, the Norfolk Southern Railroad Police and the Michigan State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division.

"Large trucks that operate in an unsafe condition or with unqualified drivers are a recipe for disaster and strict compliance is necessary to keep our roadways safer," said Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad. ”We want to be sure that with rising operating costs, the trucking industry isn’t lowering their maintenance standards.

"I commend the Melvindale Police, Norfolk Southern Police and Michigan State Police for their commitment to such joint enforcement details to promote safety.’’

A recent report shows a 20 percent decline in the number of fatalities involving large commercial trucks, the lowest number since about 1975.

"This significant gain in commercial truck safety shows that roadside safety inspections and enforcement efforts and partnerships with state and other local law enforcement agencies are making a difference," Haddad said.

The Dearborn Police Motor Carrier Unit’s past achievements were recognized in 2001, 2004 and 2006 with the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police “Excellence in Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety” award and the 2006 International Association of Chiefs of Police “National Law Enforcement Challenge for Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety” award.