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Project manager/coordinator for the new DPS traffic record crash system Fred Scanlan poses next to one of the new laptops that have been installed into four police vehicles. The new system allows for the electronic issuance of citations/tickets, and the program is hooked up to the local court system which means the information will be electronically sent to the courts. |
The Department of Public Safety has installed new laptops, scanners, and printers into four of their vehicles. The laptops are part of the new traffic record crash system which came with a price tag of more than $150,000. The new system reduces the use of paperwork and enables police officers to issue citations electronically, with the press of a button. |
Lt. Laolagi of the DPS Motor Carrier Safety Administration Program (MCSAP) says that the new equipment including laptops, scanners, and printers for the traffic record crash system is a big step forward for the DPS, as this means citations and tickets can now be issued on the spot, instead of having to call it in to the central dispatcher. Laolagi said the new system will greatly benefit police officers in their work, as well as put a stop to the retrieval of citations, meaning that violators can no longer beg and plead with police officers to erase their tickets. |
MCSAP continues to crusade against commercial vehicle violations
While tinted windows, fancy decals, and colorful dashboard and windshield decorations have become a trend of unique personalization for local owners of private vehicles, such additions and enhancements violate local laws pertaining to commercial vehicles and anyone found to be in violation will be slapped with a citation.
Commercial vehicles include buses and container trucks which are randomly inspected by officers from the Motor Carrier Safety Administration Program (MCSAP) under the Department of Public Safety.
MCSAP’s Lt. Laolagi told the Tapuitea this morning that there are local laws that apply to commercial vehicles, and their job is to ensure that those laws are enforced.
Laolagi explained that inspections are ranked in different levels from 1-3.
A level one inspection requires the driver to provide documentation like a valid commercial driver’s license and registration information.
A level two inspection calls for an overall inspection of the vehicles exterior, from front to back and side to side, including the tires to make sure all the tires are up to par and the nuts and bolts are properly screwed on.
A level three inspection requires MCSAP officers to conduct an inspection of the bottom of the vehicle, to check the brake pads and look for oil leaks, among other things.
“Basically, we are checking to make sure that everything is in proper working condition and there are no problems,” Laolagi said. “Our purpose is to ensure that commercial vehicles are safe enough to be driven on the main road.”
Once a driver is cited, it is up to the court to determine the proper punishment.
When asked if there is a weight restriction on loads being carried by container trucks, Laolagi explained that they are waiting for the installation of a weigh station but currently, they usually conduct their checks at the Faga’alu Park, as this is the only place with enough space for them to carry out their job.
(Heavy loads being transported on the main road have been named as a contributor to the deteriorating road conditions).
As for buses, Laolagi said that most of the buses in operation today are new, and while they can conduct inspections and issue citations for violators, they do not have the power to take the buses off the road.
He explained that once a citation is issued, commercial vehicle owners have up to 15 days to address and correct the problem. During that time period, the vehicle can still be operated unless MCSAP puts the vehicle out of service (denoted on a sticker placed on the vehicle), meaning the vehicle cannot be in operation until the problem is fixed.
Laolagi pointed out that up until recently, buses that operate with two wheels on the front (one on each side), and four wheels on the rear (two on each side), were permitted to continue operating even after one of the back wheels was damaged.
But under a new directive from the MCSAP office in Honolulu, local MCSAP officers now have the authority to put those same buses out of service.
The local MCSAP division consists of five officers under the direction of Captain Vai Maiava.
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