North County

Citing a dramatic rise in the number of accidents caused by commercial trucks along Interstate 5 from Del Mar north to the Orange County line, the California Highway Patrol has launched a campaign to crack down on truck drivers.

Capt. Keith Newman, commander of the CHP’s North County office in Oceanside, said the number of truck accidents in which the driver is to blame has increased significantly along the 30-mile stretch of highway. Between July 1 and Oct. 1 of this year, the number has increased 112%, Newman said.

“We’re apparently being confronted with an irresponsible attitude displayed by a sizable number of commercial vehicle operators, and we won’t tolerate it,” Newman said.

CHP officials said that all patrol officers have been directed to focus their attention on errant truckers on North County roads under their jurisdiction. In addition, a special five-officer “selective enforcement unit” has been established and will work full time on detecting hazardous violations committed by drivers of commercial vehicles, Newman said.

The most common causes listed in accidents in which truck drivers are at fault are unsafe speed, following too closely and unsafe lane changes, Newman said.