Law enforcement agencies in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia are partnering to target truck drivers who are running over allowable hours of service.

In an attempt to reduce the number of fatigued commercial vehicle drivers, the Washington State Patrol’s (WSP) Commercial Vehicle Division (CVD), along with highway enforcement in Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia will step up enforcement efforts focused on commercial vehicle driver’s hours of service.

Officers will stop and cite drivers who exceed their maximum allowable time behind the wheel, according to a Washington State Patrol press release.

“This emphasis is designed to send a clear message to truck drivers that fatigue driving is a serious threat to highway safety and will not be tolerated,” said Washington State Patrol Assistant Chief Mike DePalma, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau.

During the emphasis, Washington will open all truck scales throughout the state as staffing allows, and conduct roving patrols to inspect trucks and drivers who attempt to avoid the inspection sites by traveling on bypass routes.

Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia will share data and information during the emphasis to help verify the hours of service of drivers suspected of exceeding their time behind the wheel or altering their driver log books.

“A fatigued driver at the wheel is just as serious and as dangerous as driving under the influence,” said DePalma. “The effects caused by a fatigued driver can be devastating.”