The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has the best commercial enforcement program in the nation, according to the 2011 National Law Enforcement Challenge.  

Sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the annual competition challenges law enforcement agencies to make a difference in the communities they serve and allows agencies to learn from one another and establish future goals in traffic safety enforcement and education.

The CHP’s commercial enforcement program is being recognized for its efforts to reduce collisions and alcohol-related incidents involving trucks, increase the use of seat belts in commercial vehicles, and increase compliance with commercial vehicle speed laws.

“An achievement such as this can only be accomplished as a result of the tireless efforts of the men and women working for the California Highway Patrol,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Through their dedication and commitment to safety, the number of people killed in large truck-related crashes in California fell 40 percent between 2006 and 2010.”

The CHP is responsible for the oversight of approximately 7.4 million commercial vehicles, which travel approximately 30 million miles on 105,000 miles of roadway in California each year.

Last year, the CHP conducted more than 500,000 roadside inspections of commercial vehicles and drivers.  

Additionally, the CHP inspected and certified more than 23,000 school buses throughout the state.  

Through partnerships with industry advocates and commercial vehicle operators, the CHP provides a high level of education and technical assistance to ensure the safety of the motoring public.

“While it is an honor to be recognized by your peers, the real reward is the lives that are saved daily through the work of our commercial enforcement personnel in partnership with industry advocates and commercial vehicle operators,” added Commissioner Farrow.

The CHP’s commercial program was formally recognized for its efforts Tuesday during the IACP’s 119th Annual Conference and Exposition being held in San Diego.