Yellowstone plans traffic safety checks

Fair warning; for the 19th year, Yellowstone National Park will be part of a vehicle safety inspection program again this year.

Park Rangers will partner with state and federal transportation officials to conduct safety evaluations of commercial vehicles and operators in the park this summer.

Inspectors will evaluate vehicles and drivers to make sure they are in full compliance with federal regulations for commercial operation. They will focus on safe operation and mechanical soundness of buses and trucks to help protect visitors, employee, and park resources.

The inspection program has resulted in a significant decrease in “out-of-service” violations. Those violations require that either a commercial vehicle or a commercial driver be taken off the road because of serious mechanical or driver-specific violations.