Traffic officers conduct inspections of commercial vehicles looking for unsafe conditions or equipment such as faulty brakes, steering, and structurally deficient trucks and trailers. Officers also determine the appropriate weight requirements for overweight vehicles and trucks as set forth in the Vehicle Code.
Overweight trucks damage roadway surfaces, and those exceeding length requirements often impede traffic and/or strike stationary objects such as posts, street signs, and fire hydrants while attempting to negotiate narrow streets. Many streets are not designated as truck routes and are not large enough to allow proper passage, therefore drivers and owners of these big rigs are often cited for these violations.