By Allison Peck
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Nebraska State Patrol troopers placed 13 commercial vehicles and five drivers out of service during inspections conducted this week in Lincoln and Dawson counties.
The Nebraska State Patrol Carrier Enforcement Division conducted the inspections Wednesday, September 9, in Lincoln County and Thursday, September 10, in Dawson County.
The Metropolitan Aggressive and Prevention Selective Team, known as MAPS, inspected 42 commercial vehicles during the two-day effort.
Troopers discovered 163 violations of federal motor carrier safety regulations and state law. A total of 21 citations were issued.
Vehicles are placed out of service when they have safety problems that prevent them from returning to the road. Those issues can include faulty brakes, bad tires or other problems that pose immediate safety risks.
Five drivers were also placed out of service during the inspections.
Troopers issued 10 CVSA decals to vehicles that did not have immediate safety issues. The decals indicate the vehicles passed the inspection without any out-of-service violations.
The MAPS Team focuses on commercial vehicles that may not pass through weigh stations as part of their regular routes.
The team checks for compliance with federal safety regulations and enforces laws involving weight, size, registration, dyed fuels and commercial vehicle permits.
The MAPS Team was implemented in 1998 and consists of troopers from the Nebraska State Patrol Carrier Enforcement Division. The team is funded largely by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.