The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) inspected more than 9,200 commercial motor vehicles, compared to 8,062 in 2012, during a three-day inspection effort last month as part of Roadcheck 2013. DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement troopers, specially trained Highway Patrol troopers and civilian inspectors joined forces from June 4 - June 6 during the annual inspection effort aimed at enhancing commercial motor vehicle safety.

Approximately 21 percent (1,963) of the 18-wheelers, buses and other commercial vehicles inspected were placed out of service for a variety of safety violations until appropriate repairs can be made. Among the most common infractions that led to out-of-service violations were issues with brakes and defective vehicle lighting.

Additionally, drivers were checked for compliance with state and federal laws, and 248 drivers were placed out of service. Among the violations were improper logging of duty time, driving over the maximum number of hours, and failing to have the proper type of driver license for the vehicle being driven.

In all, DPS issued 2,800 citations and more than 26,000 warnings.

The annual Roadcheck program, sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, is designed to reduce commercial vehicle highway fatalities through increased vehicle and driver safety, education and law enforcement activities throughout North America.