Level I Inspections

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It is a mandatory regulation, applicable throughout the national territory that will allow, among other benefits, the standardization of horizontal and vertical signaling as well as different road devices, contributing to road safety.

One of the main objectives of the NOM (its acronym in Spanish) is to give priority to road safety in the streets and highways of the country, following the narrative of the mobility pyramid, which places people as a priority.

A 60-day public comment time follows the publication of this new technical regulation. During this time, any person in the national territory may submit comments and identify areas of opportunity.

It should be noted that the NOM project, once approved as a definitive NOM, will replace the current horizontal and vertical marking of highways and urban thoroughfares established by NOM-034-SCT2-2011. The current NOM project broadens its scope in urban areas, provides greater emphasis on vulnerable users and incorporates signals and devices for mainly urban use.

For more information on the NOM project, visit www.dof.gob.mx/

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Montana Travel Team Saturates Locations and Focuses on Level I Inspections

By Sgt. Matt Caudill, Motor Carrier Services Enforcement Bureau, Montana Department of Transportation

While the idea of a team organized to focus on high-risk areas in a jurisdiction isn’t new to law enforcement, Montana’s Travel Team is a new organization within our agency. This team is staffed by highly motivated officers from around the state and conducts a high number of inspections in areas that are not typically worked and show high traffic.

The Travel Team spends one week every month or every other month focusing on Level I Inspections. As can be imagined by those that work the road, a high quantity of inspections generally yields compelling results. Violations range from intoxicated drivers to significant mechanical violations as can be seen in the photographs. Over the course of 2021, the Travel Team conducted about 800 Level I Inspections, 114 Level II Inspections and 30 Level III Inspections. Of these inspections, 182 vehicles were placed out of service.

As with anything in Montana, the weather was the biggest adversary faced by the Travel Team, with highs over 100 degrees and lows in the single digits. They also contended with high winds and snow at various points in the year; however, they persevered and continued to put up excellent numbers, regardless of the elements. For all of these reasons, every member of Montana’s Travel Team deserves recognition for fulfilling the mission of Montana Motor Carrier Services and protecting the traveling public from commercial motor vehicles operating under dangerous conditions. n