Cottonwood >> The California Highway Patrol Cottonwood Inspection Facility teamed up with the California Truckers Association Wednesday to host a Truck Driver Appreciation Barbecue in honor of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which started last week.
As part of the event, which allowed drivers to stop in for a free hot dog or hamburger, attendees had a chance to check out the facility and even talk to commercial vehicle inspectors about what they look for when doing an inspection on a rig.
Drivers and the public, invited to come out and see what goes on at the facility, had the chance to meet with representatives from DMV, the California Truckers Association and other industry partners to get information on a variety of topics important to the trucking industry, said Facility Commander Lt. Kevin Alexander.
“We had a really good turnout today,” Alexander said. “We probably had about 2,000 people come through. Walmart had to go back for more food. This event, which is hosted by the CHP and CTA, is all part of a national truck driver appreciation to show our thanks to those who move the goods. They help keep commerce going.”
The facility has about 8,500 trucks a month coming through on average with about 800,000-1,000,000 trucks per year, Alexander said. About 5 percent of those who come through are pulled over for an inspection, about 1,200-1,300 inspections per month.
The facility does voluntary inspections for anyone who has a new truck and wants to get it checked out before heading out on the road and those who haven’t had an inspection in 90 days.
“Overall it’s a great event for the public to come out and see our facility and what we do,” Alexander said. “The commercial sector is the second largest part of CHP and really our focus here is safety. Things like making sure the driver isn’t fatigued or out of hours, that the vehicle is mechanically sound as it goes down the highway and that it’s not over height or over weight. We look at ourselves as a partner with the commercial industry. We go down the highway and our families travel so we want to make sure it’s safe for the drivers and the public.”
The goal is to keep travel on the highways safe and to do what they can to keep commerce flowing with no unnecessary delays, Alexander said.
A new Dodge Charger, which the CHP is switching to for patrols, and trucks from different eras were on display. Visitors could check out a mobile command center that is one of three in the state.
A Eurocopter AStar B3 helicopter was put into use in April. It features an image stabilized camera, more power, high definition recording, target locking and improved infrared capabilities, said Flight Officer and Paramedic JR Keane.
Mel Marriott of Downey was one of several drivers passing through and Wednesday was his first time stopping at the Cottonwood facility. Driving since 1972, he said he appreciates what the facility does for drivers.
“It’s a great opportunity to thank them,” Marriott said. “They’ve never been anything but the best and they deserve appreciation so really I stopped in to thank them. Then I saw the helicopter and had to come see it up close. Without them though it’d be chaos on the road.”
Marriott said he remembers the days before inspections.
“It’s one of the best things to ever happen in the commercial trucking industry,” Marriott said. “Back when I started if you had a tool box and bailing wire and could keep it running on the road, you were driving.”
Mel Boss of Halsey, Oregon said the event was good for public relations. He’s been driving for about 30 years, but this was his first time stopping in at the Cottonwood facility.
“They get a bad reputation, but I treat them with respect and I’ve never had issues,” Boss said.
Red Bluff resident Mike Collins has been driving since the early 1970s but has always missed the barbecue, so Wednesday was his first time at the event. He said events like Wednesday’s outreach are important.
“I think they need to have it two or three times a year,” Collins said. “It’s a great way to build communication, especially on how to be compliant and a chance for us to share our concerns. It’s so informative and a great way to improve relationships with law enforcement. It’s a way to bring both sides together.”
Members of the public who are interested in having a group tour of the facility should call Officer Keith Ericson at 347-1813.