The Mississippi Department of Transportation participated in a 72-hour marathon of inspecting commercial motor vehicles and their drivers as a part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s International Roadcheck.

“These inspections further the goal of MDOT’s Office of Enforcement to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities on Mississippi roadways each day, while carrying out the compliance, enforcement and education initiatives that ensure the safety of the traveling public, MDOT’s top priority,” Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall said in a statement.

International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 17 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute in Canada, the United States and Mexico during a 72-hour period. In 2016, MDOT officers inspected 1,604 vehicles as a part of the 72 hour Roadcheck marathon during which 342 vehicles were placed out of service until repairs were made.

Drivers are tested for drug and alcohol use, and MDOT’s enforcement officers physically inspect parts of these trucks and buses such as the braking system, exhaust system, suspension and tires.

Participating inspection sites in Mississippi include Southaven, Olive Branch, Iuka, Corinth, Meridian, Moss Point, Vicksburg, Bay Saint Louis, Picayune and McComb. The inspections began June 6 and continued through Thursday.

“CMV (commercial motor vehicle) inspections take place year round as MDOT Enforcement Officers issue permits for overweight and over-sized loads on Mississippi highways. Enforcing these regulations further enhances the safety of not only CMVs but Mississippi’s traveling public as well,” said MDOT spokesperson Michael Flood.

The International Roadcheck started in 1988, and has inspected more than 1.5 million trucks and buses. According to the program, an estimated 318 traffic fatalities and nearly 6,000 injures have been prevented.