Results From Operation SafeDRIVE Prove the Dangers Maine Families Face Daily
In an effort to reduce the number of truck accidents and to make Maine’s roads safer for all drivers, state and federal officials recently teamed up and launched an educational and enforcement program focusing on commercial truck driver safety.
“Operation SafeDRIVE is an enforcement campaign that targets dangerous driving behaviors in an effort to reduce crashes involving commercial vehicles,” according to a CDL Life article.
What Is Operation SafeDRIVE In Maine?
Operation SafeDRIVE is an acronym for “Distracted Reckless Impaired Visibility Enforcement.” The Maine State Police (MSP) conducted Operation SafeDRIVE in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the federal agency responsible for enforcing federal laws governing the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) industry.
Operation SafeDRIVE took place over three days, from January 13-15. During that time, Maine State Police troopers from its Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit (Troop K) and FMCSA inspectors conducted 390 CMV inspections in Maine.
Operation SafeDRIVE uses "smart roadside technologies" that act like a digital dragnet to catch unsafe rigs. These include tire anomaly sensors embedded in the roadway to detect flat or bald tires as a truck passes at highway speeds, and thermal imaging cameras that "see" overheated or failing brakes.
While this technology is impressive, it only monitors a fraction of the trucks on Maine roads. If you were hit by an 18-wheeler, our truck accident attorneys don't just rely on what sensors caught. We dig into the truck’s maintenance logs and "Black Box" data to see if the carrier was ignoring the very defects this program aims to catch.
What CMV Violations Were Truck Drivers Cited For In Operation SafeDRIVE?
Maine State Police troopers and FMCSA inspectors issued 80 citations as part of Operation SafeDRIVE that resulted in those commercial trucks being placed out of service and off the road due to “imminent safety risks to the public,” according to CDL Life.
Common CMV violations discovered during Operation SafeDRIVE in Maine included:
- Bald truck tires
- Missing truck brakes
- Malfunctioning tire sensors
“The most dangerous truck inspected this week was initially flagged by the tire anomaly sensors. Troopers inspected this truck and found 37 violations, including bald tires and missing brakes. This technology allows our limited staff to screen nearly 600,000 trucks every year, helping to detect and inspect the unsafe operators and trucks on our Maine roads,” state troopers said, according to CLD Life.
Finding 37 violations on a single truck, including missing brakes, is a terrifying reality for Maine families. In a legal claim, this isn't just a list of tickets; it’s evidence of negligent maintenance.
Under Maine law, trucking companies have a non-delegable duty to ensure their vehicles are safe. When a semi-truck with "missing brakes" causes an accident on I-95, it demonstrates a systemic failure by the trucking company to prioritize safety over profit.
What Are The Most Common Commercial Truck Violations?
The recent CMV violations issued by state and federal inspectors as part of Operation SafeDRIVE in Maine are among the most common nationwide violations cited against all commercial truck drivers and vehicles.
Common commercial truck violations often involve Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which governs the commercial trucking industry. According to the FMCSA, the most common violations include:
- Not having operating truck headlights or brake lights (Violation of Title 49, Section 393.9)
- Tire tread less than 2/32 of an inch (Violation of Title 49, Section 393.75C)
- Incomplete truck driver qualification file (Violation of Title 49, Section 391.51)
- Operating a CMV without a valid CDL (Violation of Title 49, Section 383.23)
- Driving under the influence of drugs (Violation of Title 49, Section 392.4A)
- Hours of Service (HOS) violations, including driving for more than 14 hours without taking a mandatory rest break (Violation of Title 49, Section 395.3(a)(2))
Our Maine Truck Accident Lawyers Help Victims Demand Accountability
When a truck with 37 violations is allowed on I-95, it’s not just a "mistake.” It’s a conscious decision to put profit over Maine lives. At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, our truck accident attorneys don’t wait for state inspectors to tell us what went wrong after a serious crash. We launch our own investigations to uncover the maintenance shortcuts and federal violations that insurance companies try to hide.
With over 50 years of experience and a track record that includes a $3.75 million truck accident settlement, we have the resources to take on the largest trucking corporations. From our seven offices across Maine, we fight to ensure corporate excuses don't sideline your recovery. If you were injured or a loved one died in a Maine truck crash, contact us today for a free case evaluation.
“I called the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein after I was involved in a collision with an intoxicated driver in November 2024. From day one, Ben Bornstein and Amanda Shea were absolutely wonderful. They stayed in contact with me regularly, making sure I was on the road to recovery. They answered all my questions, with patience and understanding. I truly cannot say enough good about them, they were amazing! I was extremely happy with the outcome and would highly recommend them.” – Susan P., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
