Overview
Key Measurements and Statistics
The COVID pandemic created unusual traffic patterns and volumes for commercial motor vehicles. As we continue to observe supply chain issues as well as the return to work of many passenger vehicle commuters, collisions involving commercial motor vehicles have begun to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Our officers also began to increase inspection numbers, continuing to follow our 3, 2, 1 philosophy for roadside stops. This encourages officers to make every contact with commercial motor vehicle driver’s start as a Level 3 inspection of the driver documentation and a cursory view of the vehicle. If there is reason to escalate based on deficient equipment or other violations, or a company safety history, officers apply the proper level of safety inspection. Officers also conduct Level 1 or 2 inspections when assisting in collision investigations.
Successes of 2021
CVD SafetyNet (CVDSN) retains responsibility for in-house data collection/distribution, while reporting to WSP partners in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on matters of joint concern. During the year, CVDSN analysts collected, compiled, and distributed data from collisions, enforcement activities, inspections, complaints, and community outreach education; thus allowing our troopers and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers to focus their efforts when and where they would have the greatest impact on commercial motor vehicles involved injury and fatal collisions. CVDSN achieved a 100 percent rating in four of the eight areas measured by FMCSA, three were at 99 percent and one at 97 percent. This resulted in significant incentive funding from FMCSA to the State of Washington.
CVD provides regulatory oversight in partnership with the Department of Licensing over Registered Tow Truck Operators (RTTO), many of whom also have a Letter of Appointment to provide towing services to the WSP to aid in collision scene clearance and the removal of disabled and abandoned vehicles on our roadways. Troopers conducted inspections on over 397 separate RTTO businesses, each with multiple tow trucks. Troopers also inspected over 389 wrecking yards, hulk haulers, and scrap processors. Inspectors were able to modify their practices to still provide quality reviews of companies while observing necessary pandemic protocols.
CVD continues to incorporate Virtual Weigh in Motion (WIM) into its Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan. Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers and troopers conduct portable weighing operations to identify overweight commercial motor vehicles for the purpose of preventing roadway damage caused by heavy vehicles.