Fort A.P. Hill police team up with state for vehicle inspections

FORT A.P. HILL, Va. – On Nov.23, 2009, a logging truck, operating a trailer with defective equipment, overturned on A.P. Hill Drive, blocking the road.
Since that time, Fort A.P. Hill Traffic Accident Investigator Carl F. Ballagh, Officer Anthony B. Clark and other Fort A.P. Hill police officers have been working to keep the roads open and vehicles on post in compliance with the law.
How can you keep motor carriers on over 400 miles of road in compliance with state law? Teamwork.
Ballagh and Clark spearheaded an effort that brought the Department of Motor Vehicles, Size and Weight Compliance agents and the Virginia State Police Motor Carrier Unit together with Fort A.P. Hill police March 26, for a day of motor carrier inspections. The combined team of troopers, officers and agents performed safety and fuel inspections, along with weight and height inspections.
The task force inspected 19 vehicles and found a total of 30 violations. Nine citations were written.
Sergeant Lewis of the Virginia State Police Motor Carrier Unit commended Ballagh for his initiative and motivation, “It’s not often we are called to help our federal partners in motor vehicle enforcement,” adding, “It is rare to have someone so knowledgeable and motivated coordinate joint operations like this.”
Motor carrier inspections are now routinely conducted by Ballagh and Clark. The duo hopes to conduct joint operations with the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles on a quarterly basis.
The Motor Carrier Program ensures that all tractor trailers entering post are up to Virginia Motor Vehicle standards. Tractor trailers that are within motor carrier standards are less likely to break down or be involved in a traffic accident due to defective equipment.
Ballagh sums up the department’s efforts, “The Fort A.P. Hill Motor Carrier Program has evolved tremendously in just a few months. I am eager to see how this program will evolve throughout 2012. I am proud of what Officer Clark has brought to the table and I am thankful for the support I am receiving from my leadership and fellow officers.”

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