Commercial vehicle crashes do terrible damage. Nationally, truck accidents involving such vehicles have killed over 3,000 people a year in recent years.

To prevent more of these crashes, safety inspections of trucking companies and drivers have to become more effective.

That is why Colorado officials are finally cracking down on commercial trucks that fail inspections. The goal is to improve safety on the road and prevent Colorado truck accidents.

One common violation is lack of a valid Colorado driver's license. Other violations include such things as carrying unsecured equipment in the trailer or failing to properly attach the trailer to the tractor. Inspectors also often find problems with oil leaks and brakes that are out of adjustment. Even brakes that are supposedly self-adjusting can get out of adjustment - turning a truck into a danger on the road.

The Colorado State Patrol, the state revenue department, and local police departments collaborate to conduct compliance checks on trucks. Statewide, the patrol sets up over 150 check points every year for commercial vehicles.

The Colorado State Patrol compiles data on the number of accidents involving 18-wheelers and other large trucks. Last year, these commercial vehicles were involved in 1,639 crashes, 56 which were fatal. Seventy-eight people died in those fatal crashes.

When an inspection identifies a problem, authorities typically order that it be fixed. But what if it isn't fixed? Under the law, trucking companies or drivers can also be fined, ordered to appear in court, or even have their trucks taken away.

Source: "Crackdown on heavy trucks: Police trying to keep roads safe," 9News.com, 10-6-11