Avon truck enforcement sweep finds 136 violations and takes 11 drivers off the road

AVON, Mass. A one-day truck enforcement operation in Avon turned up 136 violations, took 11 commercial drivers off the road and found one commercial vehicle missing brakes, the Massachusetts State Police said.

The State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section, known as the Truck Team, and the Avon Police Department ran the joint operation Wednesday, Nov. 4, to enforce heavy commercial vehicle exclusion restrictions and promote roadway safety, according to a release the State Police Media Relations Unit posted Friday, Nov. 13. Under state law, a town sign that keeps heavy commercial vehicles off a local road takes effect only with the written approval of the state highway department, now MassDOT.

What police found

Police weighed 150 commercial vehicles and conducted 45 commercial vehicle inspections during the operation, the release said. They found 136 violations, placed seven commercial vehicles out of service, took 11 drivers out of service and issued $3,785 in fines, according to the State Police.

Among the violations, police said, three drivers were operating without a license, one was driving on a suspended license and another was violating a restriction on a commercial driver's license. Six drivers had no medical certificate, two trucks were unregistered, and one carrier was operating despite failing a safety audit in 2024, according to the release.

In one case, a commercial vehicle was missing brakes, police said. In another, a truck was carrying so much cargo that it had to be offloaded.

An earlier sweep in April

The Nov. 4 operation followed a similar joint operation the Avon Police Department and the Truck Team ran in April, the State Police said.

"The Massachusetts State Police greatly value the chance to work collaboratively with our partners at the Avon Police Department to keep our roads safe," State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble said in the release. "This was an excellent joint operation that will enhance the safety of Massachusetts roadways. We look forward to future joint operations that will build upon this success."

Avon Police Chief Jeffrey J. Bukunt thanked State Police Sgt. Alex McCabe and the enforcement section for their work in Avon. "Once again, these actions show that law enforcement organizations work most effectively when agencies and units work collaboratively," Bukunt said in the release.

How to report a problem truck

The State Police asked anyone with information about improper or dangerous commercial vehicle activity to report it to state and local police. The Avon Police Department can be reached at 508-583-6677 and the State Police at 508-820-2300. In an emergency, call 911.

Label: Reported by us.