COPS CRACK DOWN ON TRUCK VIOLATIONS.

Byline: KAREN MAESHIRO Staff Writer

PALMDALE -- Sheriff's deputies issued nearly 50 citations to motorists and commercial truck drivers in a joint law and traffic enforcement operation in Lancaster and Palmdale.

The operation by the Antelope Valley Traffic Task Force was done in part because of many complaints from residents about commercial trucks violating traffic laws and rocks falling off gravel trucks and cracking windshields.

``We kept getting reports of trucks dropping stuff and cracking windshields,'' Sgt. Mark Johnston said. ``They come out of the gravel pits and rocks are falling off the trucks because of improper loading. If it's loaded properly and covered like it should be, the rocks would not fall out.''

The all-day operation was conducted last week in the Four Points area in east Palmdale and in east Lancaster by sheriff's traffic deputies from the Lancaster and Palmdale stations and the California Highway Patrol.

``We sent out two commercial trained officers to work with the Sheriff's Department,'' CHP Lt. Andria Witmer said. ``We were focusing on commercial vehicle violations in the Four Points-Pearblossom area. There's a lot of truck traffic there with the different gravel haulers and truck traffic on Highway 138.''

Thirty-two citations were issued in Palmdale for violations, including speeding, unsafe turns and improper lane usage.

One driver was cited for operating without a license and had his vehicle impounded.

Three commercial trucks were placed out of service for equipment violations that rendered the trucks unsafe to be operated on the roadways.

The truck violations included worn tires, worn brakes, improper loads and defective air brake lines.

In Lancaster, 16 citations were issued for speeding in outlying areas east of the city where there have been several speed-related collisions. One intersection targeted was Avenue J and 65th Street East.

``There are high incidents of speed out there. We are having single vehicle accidents of going off the road,'' Johnston said.

The task force was set up to combat serious traffic issues, including speeding and other safety issues in some high-traffic areas and in school zones.

In the past the task force has conducted stings that ticketed motorists who failed to stop for pedestrians crossing the street.

karen.maeshiro(at)dailynews.com

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