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CHP truck checks along 118 find many in non-compliance
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Photos by Joseph A. Garcia / Star staff Mike Olejnik conducts an inspection of a truck for the CHP on Highway 118 on Saturday. Of the 34 inspections, only six trucks were found to be in full compliance, said CHP Sgt. Alex Carillo.
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More from Local NewsThe California Highway Patrol conducted a concentrated truck enforcement effort along Highway 118, from Moorpark's city limits to Somis, on Saturday and found many vehicles were not following all CHP regulations.
Of the 34 inspections, only six trucks were in full compliance, said Sgt. Alex Carillo with the CHP's Coastal Division unit, which is based in San Luis Obispo.
Carillo said eight vehicles were taken out of service for being in an unsafe mechanical condition, while 61 violations were noted and 15 citations were given. One driver was taken off the road.
With the amount of truck traffic along that portion of Highway 118, Carillo said, officials would like to conduct the concentrated truck enforcement, also called "strike force," more frequently.
"If we had enough personnel, we'd be out there daily," Carillo said. "The more we're out there, the more vehicles seem to be in compliance."
On Saturday, there were two CHP officers and two motor-carrier specialists patrolling the 4.7-mile stretch of road from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In Moorpark, a 2005 estimate said about 1,250 trucks go through the city daily, with Highway 118 and Walnut Canyon, also known as Highway 23, bearing much of the truck traffic.
Over the past two years, city, county and CHP officials have made an effort to increase enforcement to get unsafe trucks off the road.
There were two similar "strike force" operations conducted over the past two months along the same section of the two-lane state highway.
On Aug. 23 and 24, nine of the 145 trucks pulled over were in unsafe mechanical conditions and were taken directly out of service.
Additionally, there were 434 various violations noted over two days, and 96 citations given to truckers, CHP officials said.
Posted by Camman on October 23, 2007 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gee, I feel so safe driving to work and back each day on that stretch of the 118...
I wish they had the East & West truck inspection stations open every day.
Posted by otiscampbell on October 23, 2007 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
but wait, you vote for fewer controls on business but you want safe trucks?
you think business owners should be in court and not working to make a living?
you sir, may want to try public transportation each day and let business roam free!
Posted by caffeinefree on October 23, 2007 at 7:50 a.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ironwoman on October 23, 2007 at 7:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would hope that the CHP would actually drive the highways, as they should. I drive the 126 daily and trucks drive fast and rocks richochet onto our windshields. They cut in front of other drivers to get into the fast lane, so they can drive slow. They impede traffic all the time. If you honk at them, they usually flip you off, flash their lights or honk back. Grimes canyon is bad too. I rarely see the CHP.
Posted by XcLarate on October 23, 2007 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rock's hitting your'e windshield most likely you were tailgating, Or maybe you were just driffting, Fast lane on a two lane highway=Passing lane, Next time try flashing your'e light's and let him go they will usually flash their light's back, as a thank you. And If you honk ur winpy horn at them they will most likely honk their much more manly louder air horn at you, and run you off of Grimes canyon road. A little advice Y dont you be a little more curteous it will make you feel better about yourself, Or I can let you drive my 35 ton truck for a day and see how you do. Keep on trucking.....
Posted by ironwoman on October 24, 2007 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Truck drivers try to make as much $$$ as they can and that is why they speed.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on October 25, 2007 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
XcLarate ,Since you a truck drive Im guessing you dont know how far those rocks fly.........Becaue I DO NOT tail gate at all.........and many times I have had to get way way back from a bigrig to keep the rocks from hitting my car....Just FYI !
Posted by XcLarate on October 25, 2007 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I din't know rocks could fly??? FYI.. Next time u see a big gravel truck don't wonder behind him no matter how far I would suggest try to pass him ASAP.
honestopinion..You hit the nail on the head, truck driver's are paid by how fast they can drive their truck, and on some truck's threir speedo is connected dirrectly to their bank account....
Posted by XcLarate on October 25, 2007 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I din't know rocks could fly??? FYI.. Next time u see a big gravel truck don't wonder behind him no matter how far I would suggest try to pass him ASAP.
honestopinion..You hit the nail on the head, truck driver's are paid by how fast they can drive their truck, and on some truck's threir speedo is connected dirrectly to their bank account....
Posted by ironwoman on October 25, 2007 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Keep on truckin'-props to you for doing what you do. I mean no disrespect. I do have courtesy for the truck drivers but some are rude and drive fast. Be safe.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on October 26, 2007 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yep they DO FLY!!!!!! Sometimes jump also ! Its unreal.........
I do try to pass if able as soon as I can...but if I am unable to do so I just back wayyyyyyyy off.
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