Truck drivers face increased inspections

On a sweltering summer day at a weigh station just south of Devine, Texas, certain trucks drivers had to sweat it out in the shade. 

Department of Public Safety officers were out in greater numbers than usual, pulling over any truck they suspect might have issues.

"We try and inspect as many trucks as we can," said Sgt. Chris McGuarit. "Last year, we inspected about 70,000 trucks."

The goal is to make the roads safer by looking for and fixing potential problems. 

Inspectors look for everything from broken tail lights to faulty brakes. These inspections, while similar to those done to regular cars, have more of an impact on road safety, according to DPS.

"You have this heavy truck, maybe 80,000 pounds, going down the road and it can cause a much more serious accident than you average car," McGuarit said.

The operation is an annual, nation-wide effort. The inspections can take anywhere from 45 minutes to one hour.

McGuarit said of the 70,000 trucks that were inspected last year, a full 20 percent were removed from the roadway due to safety issues.

The ramped-up enforcement period will run through Thursday.