Commercial vehicles make up a large portion of traffic on roadways, especially highways. The sheer size of these vehicles makes them formidable to other drivers sharing the road. The Arizona Department of Public Safety implemented Operation Southern Shield 2015 on the Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 highways that aimed to reduce commercial vehicle crashes. This was a three day operation from February 24 to 26 during which officers inspected commercial vehicles and driver logs. Over 1,100 vehicles were inspected. As a result, 168 vehicles were put out of service and over 2 thousand vehicles violations were discovered. DPS officers placed 132 drivers out of service and brought to light 965 drivers' violations. During Operation Southern Shield 2015, no commercial vehicle collision occurred.

Operation Southern Shield 2015 was not only geared towards enforcement of regulations but also educating commercial vehicle drivers to generate a safe driving environment on our state highways. DPS officers also conducted driver-safety courses under the operation. These courses, known as Driver Awareness Regulation Training (DART), involved 142 drivers at two different truck stop locations in Arizona. Furthermore, DPS offered “Share the Road” safety training for 215 driver education students in Tucson. Teaming up with Wal-Mart's “Committed to Safety” team in Marana, 350 customers took home brochures offering safe driving tips. This operation is another reminder that safety is the responsibility of every driver.

Jay Ciulla represents clients throughout the state of Arizona in personal injury and wrongful death cases.