Police Conduct Truck Inspections in Annandale, Issue Citations

Twenty-one trucks were inspected in the 4200 block of Markham Street by the Fairfax County Police Department on Wednesday morning as part of the Motor Carrier Safety Unit's comprehensive vehicle safety inspections.

According to a news release from the public information office, 12 police officers and two volunteers issued eight summonses, found 69 safety and equipment violations and 10 trucks were placed out of service during the inspection.

The Virginia Deparment of Motor Vehicles offers the following safety tips for drivers of large trucks on their website:

• Inspect your vehicle before each trip and check your brakes regularly.This should include checking tire pressure and condition, brake and all other fluids, lights and turn signals, as well as making sure that windshields are clean, and mirrors are clean and adjusted properly.
• Watch out for highway construction. Stay alert. Work zone crashes are more likely to happen during the day. Almost one-third of fatal crashes in work zones involved large trucks. Take your time going through work zones and give yourself plenty of room. Expect the unexpected!
• Always leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you hit someone from behind, you are typically considered "at fault," regardless of the situation. Large trucks require more stopping distances than other vehicles. Take advantage of your driving height, and anticipate braking situations.

The full list of safety tips along with safety tips for drivers sharing the road with large trucks can be found on the DMV's website.