The Indiana State Police Lowell District has implemented a new program, Semis Non-Compliance Action Patrol (SNAP) targeting commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).

The goal of the program, which began on June 1 and will end on Dec. 19, it to reduce the number of crashes and violations involving CMVs, the ISP said in a statement released on Wednesday.

I-80/94 and I-65 are main CMV arteries running through the heart of the Lowell District, a rich environment of both CMV violations and crashes. “Most of these are caused by driver action rather than mechanical problems,” the ISP said. “The leading causes are speed, following too closely, and unsafe lane movement. By detecting safety defects, driver deficiencies, and unsafe motor carrier practices, we hope to correct these before they become contributing factors to crashes.”

Enforcement action will target drivers who are not operating their vehicles safely or whose vehicles lack proper CMV maintenance. This enforcement will be pursued by a team of three troopers who are Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) Level III certified.

MCSAP Level III certification entails a roadside exam of the driver’s license, medical certification, and waiver if applicable, the driver’s record of duty status as required, hours of service, seat belt, vehicle inspection report, and hazardous materials requirements if applicable.

Enforcement numbers for the first two weeks of the program:

•320 total contacts.

•214 citations.

•132 truck arrests.

•125 truck inspections.

•Seven trucks removed from service.

Posted 6/26/2008