The commercial vehicle enforcement (CVE) unit officers will conduct enforcement details targeting the most dangerous roadways in midlothian utilizing a minimum of 600 hours of overtime during the…

The City of Midlothian was awarded a $288,765 project grant from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance High Priority Activities Grants and Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 20.237). The grant funding will support the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) unit of the Midlothian Police Department in conducting over 600 hours of overtime enforcement targeting high-risk commercial motor vehicle (CMV) corridors. The goal is to reduce CMV-related crashes by 5% through focused enforcement on causative factors of CMV and non-CMV driving behavior. The grant will also fund the training of one to two additional officers as North American Standard Level 1 Inspectors, with the potential for weight and hazardous materials certifications. Furthermore, the CVE unit will coordinate with industry partners to educate drivers on human trafficking prevention. The grant period runs from September 1, 2024, to September 30, 2026.

The commercial vehicle enforcement (CVE) unit officers will conduct enforcement details targeting the most dangerous roadways in midlothian utilizing a minimum of 600 hours of overtime during the grant period with the goal of reducing CMV-related crashes by 5% overall for this project. Focusing on the causative factors of CMV and non-CMV driving behavior will help reach the desired outcome. Our objective is also to increase the number of CMV inspections each year. We believe that in addition to our normal enforcement in this area, the grant will multiply our abilities and help US achieve our goal of a 5% reduction in CMV collisions and locating those drivers who are prohibited. We plan to send one to two additional officers in the next two years to become certified as north american standard (NAS) level 1 inspectors with the possibility of weight certifications and hazardous material (HM) certifications in non-bulk, cargo tank and other bulk. Currently there are 226,598 drivers who are prohibited in the drug and alcohol clearing house (dach) nationwide. Through this project we aim to reduce this number of prohibited drivers. The mcsap officers will coordinate working with members of industry to help them to better educate their drivers on the subject of human trafficking. The midlothian police department will communicate with local news networks, use social media platforms and conduct face-to-face events to pass along safety information not only to the general public but also to the trucking industry. The commercial motor vehicle enforcement (CVE) unit will conduct level 1 and 2 NAR inspections of cmvs transporting HM. Midlothian will dedicate 200 hours of enforcement during the grant period, focusing enforcement time on the areas with a high concentration of bulk and non-bulk HM. These focused hours will allow approximately 100 additional hazardous material (HM) inspections during this two-year grant cycle. Following the inspection procedures, officers will engage in verifying HM shipping papers, check cargo securement, and ensure anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and all other critical components are thoroughly checked in an effort to reduce the likelihood of the vehicle becoming involved in a crash.