CHP on heavy patrol in Coachella Valley today

Commercial drivers passing through the Coachella Valleytoday should be aware that California Highway Patrol officers are looking forscofflaws.

Officers from the Indio and El Centro CHP offices and the Desert HillsCommercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility will look for commercial driversviolating traffic laws on Interstate 10 and state Route 86, watching forspeeding, tailgating and not using “hands free” cell phone technology.

Officers will also inspect vehicles for mechanical problems, CHP OfficerJoe Zagorski said.

“These trucks, due to their huge size, typically result in fatalitiesand injuries … and it shuts down freeways for hours,” Zagorski said. “Thisis a more proactive measure.”

Commercial vehicles are required to stay to the right unless passing andare prohibited from going faster than 55 mph.

Big 18-wheelers average about 76,000 pounds, “and every mile over thespeed limits places people in even greater danger,” Zagorski said.