A coordinated enforcement initiative across four Southeastern states recently resulted in dozens of commercial truck drivers and vehicles being placed out of service.

Conducted Sept. 26, “Operation Saturday Night Fever” brought together the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and state police forces across South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia to focus on major freight corridors.

According to an FMCSA release, Law enforcement personnel performed 552 commercial motor vehicle inspections, evaluating driver credentials, electronic logging devices, cargo security, fatigue, and English Language Proficiency (ELP). The sweep led to 78 drivers being placed out of service—including 12 cited for ELP violations and drivers holding non-domiciled commercial driver licenses—alongside 25 vehicles restricted for safety infractions.

“This operation reflects the strength of our law enforcement partnerships and our shared responsibility to keep America’s roads safe,” FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs said in the release. “By working together and focusing our enforcement, we can identify unsafe drivers and vehicles, disrupt criminal activity, and protect the integrity of our transportation system.”

State law enforcement leaders emphasized that late-night and early-morning enforcement efforts are vital for addressing dangerous driving behaviors on high-crash corridors. Col. Dwayne Wilson, with the South Carolina State Transport Police, noted that while the goal is to eliminate serious crashes, officials remain committed to keeping compliant freight moving safely.

Representatives from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Florida Highway Patrol, and Georgia Department of Public Safety echoed these sentiments, stressing that interstate collaboration is critical because unsafe carriers do not stop at state lines. “Unsafe carriers do not stop at state lines, and neither should our partnerships,” said Maj. Andrew Montgomery, a commercial vehicle enforcement officer with the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

The multi-state sweep follows a broader, nationwide federal push under White House directives to crack down on commercial motor vehicle violations and credential fraud. According to federal data, the administration’s ongoing enforcement framework—bolstered by Executive Order 14286 issued in April 2025—has resulted in the removal of over 31,200 unqualified drivers, the revocation of more than 31,000 illegally issued licenses, and the closure of nearly 10,000 non-compliant driving schools.