SCITUATE, R.I. Motorcoaches and their drivers inspected during a three-state, three-day commercial vehicle safety blitz late last month had no problems, but over-the-road trucks were ordered off the road at an astounding rate.

The Tri-State Roadcheck was conducted just before the Labor Day weekend in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island by a special 50-person commercial vehicle enforcement team.

It was conducted simultaneously with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's annual Brake Safety Week.

A total of five agencies the Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut state police, Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration -- participated in the effort aimed at getting unsafe vehicles off the road, as well as educating commercial drivers on air brakes, wearing seat belts and staying away from booze.

Lt. Thomas M. Underhill of the Rhode Island State Police Commercial Enforcement Unit said roughly 70 motorcoaches were checked during the safety program. According to Underhill, most of the coaches were making runs to Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Conn., and Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn.

All of the coaches and their drivers were given North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria Level III Inspections, which consist largely of credential and document checks.

Underhill said inspectors looked at log books for hours-of-service violations, driver medical cards, pretrip inspection reports, IFTA decals and other documents. At the same time, inspectors conducted a coach walk around, inspecting tires and looking for leaks, plus broken windows, mirrors and lights.

Underhill said all coaches passed the safety checks, with not one being put out of service.

The buses were not subjected to more rigorous safety inspections because of a lack of facilities to accommodate passengers.

Over-the-road trucks inspected during the blitz didn't fare as well, but then they were given more rigorous Level I inspections.

A total of 336 big rigs were inspected and 141 were put out of service for safety or other violations. That equates to an out-of-service rate of 42 percent. A total of 51 truck drivers were ordered off the road for various violations, or an out-of-service rate of 15 percent.

The law enforcement personnel issued 150 citations to truckers, totaling more than $60,000 in fines.

The inspections took place along major thoroughfares, including Interstate 295 and State Route 146.