Photo: Solebury Township Police
When most folks think about trucking crackdowns, they picture the big players—the mega-fleets with hundreds of rigs, the names you see on the interstate. But on August 20, 2025, in Solebury Township, Pennsylvania, the spotlight turned on the little guys. And boy, did it light them up.
What unfolded that day was a hard-hitting reminder that no fleet, no matter how small, is invisible. A small commercial vehicle operation rolled into what looked like an ordinary morning—and rolled out with 79 violations, 10 trucks sidelined, 4 drivers pulled off duty, and a wake-up call that will echo through the community for weeks.
When Everyone Shows Up to the Party
This wasn’t a lone patrol officer flagging trucks for brake lights. It was a full-on enforcement blitz. Think “compliance block party”—except nobody wanted an invite.
Here’s who came to the dance:
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Solebury Township Police
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Doylestown Township Police
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Central Bucks Regional Police
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New Britain Township Police
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Quakertown Borough Police
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Richland Township Police
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Buckingham Township Police
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Pennsylvania State Police
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Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
That’s a lot of badges and clipboards for one stretch of road. When these agencies combine forces, it’s not about picking on small operators—it’s about ensuring the rules are applied across the board.
The Scene on Route 202
The operation took place on Route 202, a corridor many smaller fleets use for local deliveries and regional hauls. It’s the kind of road where it’s easy to think, “DOT inspections? Nah, that’s for the interstates.” Not this day.
Trucks were waved in, drivers questioned, paperwork checked, and equipment inspected. Tires, brakes, lights, weight—everything was on the table. And when the dust settled, the scorecard looked like something out of a training manual on “what not to do.”
The Numbers That Speak Volumes
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18 vehicles inspected
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79 violations discovered (that’s an average of more than 4 per vehicle)
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22 violations serious enough to take vehicles out of service
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10 trucks sidelined
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4 drivers removed from duty
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1 vehicle weighed and cited
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14 citations issued
All findings were reported to the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), meaning this wasn’t just a local slap on the wrist. These violations are now part of the record—a record insurance companies, regulators, and sometimes even customers pay attention to.
Why the Fuss Over “Little” Fleets?
The truth is, smaller fleets are often stretched thin. Owners juggle driving, dispatching, maintenance, paperwork, and customer calls. It’s easy for something to slip through the cracks. But regulators know that every truck on the road—big or small—is a potential risk if it’s not compliant.
In fact, some of the industry’s worst accidents have involved smaller operators who didn’t have the same resources as bigger carriers. That’s not a dig; it’s reality. Which is why these inspection blitzes matter: they don’t just enforce rules; they raise the bar for safety.
Social Media Buzz and Public Perception
This inspection didn’t stay local for long. It popped up on industry feeds like KeepOnTrucking on X (formerly Twitter), where posts like:
“Aug 20, Solebury Twp, #Pennsylvania. ⚠️ Truck Inspection Results: 18 vehicles checked 79 violations found 10 trucks & 4 drivers OOS 14 citations”
had drivers and safety managers talking.
And when industry chatter picks something up, it’s not just gossip. It’s a warning flare: “Pay attention. They’re looking.”
A Year Makes a Difference
Interestingly, just a year earlier, Solebury and Buckingham police participated in a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Brake Safety Week. The results? Four violations found, mostly brake issues and missing permits. Compare that to this sweep: 79 violations. That’s not just an increase; that’s a leap.
Whether it’s more trucks, more enforcement, or more issues going unnoticed, the message is clear: enforcement is ramping up, and the expectations aren’t going down.
Lessons for Fleet Owners and Drivers
So, what’s the takeaway? Let’s break it down in plain talk:
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The rules don’t skip the little guys. If you think small size keeps you under the radar, think again.
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Violations cost more than money. Out-of-service orders mean downtime, missed deliveries, and frustrated customers. And your CSA scores? They’ll take a hit.
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Compliance is culture. It’s not a one-time fix. It’s daily habits—pre-trip inspections, good records, trained drivers.
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Visibility is reality. Social media and online reporting mean violations don’t just stay on the roadside—they become headlines.
How Eclipse DOT Can Help You Stay Ahead
Here’s the good news: this doesn’t have to be your story. Whether you’ve got one truck or one hundred, compliance can be simple when you know the rules and have the right systems in place.
At Eclipse DOT, we help businesses just like these operators:
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Train drivers to spot and fix issues before they hit the road.
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Streamline paperwork so you’re always audit-ready.
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Use DOTDocs to keep every file at your fingertips.
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Run mock audits so you can fix problems before an inspector does.
Our team lives and breathes compliance so you can focus on running your business—and avoid headlines like this.
Final Word
The Solebury Township enforcement blitz wasn’t about punishing—it was about prevention. It showed that safety and compliance can’t be afterthoughts. And for any operator reading this, the question isn’t “Will it happen to me?” It’s “When it happens, will I be ready?”
Don’t wait for the flashing lights. Let’s get you ready today.
Book your free consultation now.