Lowell, IN- Commercial Motor Vehicle Division (CVED) Inspector Wanda Clay and Indiana State Police Master Trooper Glen Fifield are trying to make the roads a little safer this 4th of July by teaming up and stopping vehicles/trucks that are transporting fireworks unsafely.
This is being done through roadside inspections of vehicles suspected of illegally transporting fireworks. These roadside inspections on major NW Indiana roadways, I-80, I-90, I-94, I-65, US 41, US 20, and US 30, ensure that the vehicles that are transporting fireworks categorized as Class 1 Explosives (1.4) are operating within the Hazardous Materials Federal and State regulations.
Since starting this enforcement on June 10th, there have been 84 vehicles stopped that were carrying fireworks. Twenty eight vehicles were inspected, carrying 136, 318 lbs of fireworks. Forty seven violations were noted which resulted in 19 out of service violations including the driver and/or vehicle. Some common violations include the following: driver not having a CDL that includes a hazmat endorsement, improper or no placards on vehicle, unsecured load, improper labeling, safety permits and shipping papers.
The commercial regulations for transporting fireworks apply to any vehicle carrying 1,001 lbs or more of fireworks. If residents anticipate hauling more than this weight of fireworks, the Indiana State Police encourage them to check the U.S. Department of Transportation safe Travel website, www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat, or call your local Indiana State Police Post.
CVED Inspector Wanda Clay stated, "fireworks present a number of hazards, including being explosive, and flammability. Want to make sure these vehicle operators are safely transporting fireworks across our highways and roads in Indiana".
Law Enforcement encourages all motorists to call 911 or the closest Indiana State Police Post if they observe a vehicle that could be transporting fireworks in an unsafe or hazardous manner.
The Indiana State Police are committed to traffic safety and will continue to conduct these inspections throughout the holiday weekend.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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