Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer Mark Scott said he has received numerous complaints about speeding coal trucks on U.S. 119 between Harlan and Pineville recently, and the public can plan on seeing more enforcement in that area.

“The main complaint I hear anymore is speeding coal trucks. People are terrified of these coal trucks tailgating them, and they say they are pushing them up the highway,” Scott said. “It’s obviously become a serious problem lately with the amount of complaints I’m hearing. The public can be assured there will be more patrols and safety check points on 119.”

Scott said it’s understood that coal truck drivers have a job to do, and not all of them are at fault, but the ones that are need to practice safer driving skills.

“A lot of people may not know this, but all coal truck drivers should know that they are required to stay back 250 feet from any vehicle,” Scott said.

According to Scott, the writing is on the road, that they’re not keeping the proper distance.

“While traveling on 119 today, I noticed too many visible double tire marks on the highway where large trucks have stood up on their brakes to keep from running over someone,” Scott said.

Kentucky State Police Capt. Leslie Smith said his troopers will join CVE with extra patrols on U.S. 119.

Smith said STEP Unit Jason Young regularly patrols U.S. 119 and writes a lot of speeding tickets to motorists, but he is also responsible for patrolling all of Harlan, Bell and Knox counties main highways.

Smith had some of Post 10’s troopers, Jared Boggs, Rodney Sturgill and Jimmy Halcomb, assist Scott on Thursday with setting up safety check points on U.S. 119.

“We didn’t have the check point set up but a few minutes until we arrested a woman for DUI,” Boggs said.

Halcomb arrested Nora Helton, 37, of Baxter, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence, no license, instructional permit violations and no insurance.

Scott and the troopers had several coal trucks pull over and conducted a safety inspection on the trucks.

“Speeding and tailgating coal trucks are a serious matter,” Scott said. “I’m asking that you practice safe driving skills for the benefit of everyone involved.”