Safety first: Police take aim at preventing truck crashes

Police officers inspect a truck alongside Virginia Route 28 Thursday morning. Several Virginia police agencies pulled over truck after truck for mechanical and safety inspections aimed at preventing truck crashes. (WTOP/Nick Iannelli)
Loudoun County sheriff's officers inspect a truck alongside Virginia Route 28 Thursday morning. The office along with other police agencies pulled over truck after truck for mechanical and safety inspections aimed at preventing truck crashes. (WTOP/Nick Iannelli)
The engine of a truck lies exposed during a police safety inspection Thursday morning. Virginia police pulled over truck after truck into a Fairfax County park along Virginia Route 28 for maintenance and safety checks aimed at preventing truck crashes. (WTOP/Nick Iannelli)
Two trucks await safety and maintenance inspections at a Fairfax County park along Virginia Route 28 Thursday morning. Police from various agencies conducted the checks, aimed at preventing truck crashes. (WTOP/Nick Iannelli)
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CHANTILLY, Va. — Police officers from across Northern Virginia gathered at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Thursday to take part in an annual effort to prevent crashes involving trucks.

The agencies that participated included Fairfax County police, Virginia State Police, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and several others.

“We usually do this at the beginning of the spring,” says Fairfax County Police Officer Dan Johnson.

Officers stationed off Virginia Route 28 in Chantilly pulled truck after truck to the side of the road for a thorough inspection. They examined vehicle components including the brakes, lighting and steering. They also checked to make sure the driver had a proper license.

“We see a lot of problems with tires and brakes,” says Johnson. “If they’re too dangerous to be out on the road, we take them out of service.”

If authorities discover an issue, the driver is forced to stay put and remedy the problem.

“They have to fix what’s mechanically wrong with the truck or they have to get towed,” Johnson says.

The operation typically leads to dozens of truck inspections.

“A lot of the drivers are appreciative, because if their truck’s not safe, they want to know too,” says Johnson.

Truck crashes are commonplace in the D.C. region. Wrecks involving commercial trucks can be deadly but they also be a nuisance — especially if the timing and location interferes with commuters.

Earlier Thursday morning, a box truck overturned on the Capital Beltway in Montgomery County closing all lanes of the Inner Loop until 6:50 a.m. It was unclear what caused the crash.

Nick Iannelli

Nick Iannelli can be heard covering developing and breaking news stories on WTOP.

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