The partnership between the Washington State Patrol and the Seattle Police Department to crack down on unsafe commercial vehicles went into action today and they took two trucks off the road with "catastrophic brake failure."

The SPD squad is comprised of four Traffic Section officers who took a special training course at the WSP academy. The full story was published by the West Seattle Herald on Dec. 14.
Posted by Detective Jeff Kappel from the Seattle Police Blotter

On December 27th officers from SPD’s new Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Squad (CVES) conducted six commercial vehicle inspections.

Two trucks were taken “Out Of Service” for catastrophic brake failure.

Total safety violations documented:

Brakes – 5

Lights (ID, Marker, Clearance) - 4

Conspicuity (reflective) – 3

Headlight/Taillight/Turn Signal – 3

Registration/tonnage – 1

Fire Extinguisher - 1

Medical Card - 1

Windshield – 1

Two citations were issued for No Medical Card and Expired Tonnage (total fines: $674.00).

The documented violations will be forwarded to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and will count as “strikes” against the company, the driver and the carrier.

The Seattle Police Department encourages all commercial motor vehicle operators to be familiar with and obey all laws and all local, state and federal motor carrier safety regulations.