THE MORE YOU KNOW
BY AZ YEARBOOK STAFF Sergeant Eloy Ramirez is a 25-year
veteran of the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZ DPS). In the spring of 2008, AZDPS Command Staff approved the establishment of a special educational “team” within the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau. As part of the continuing goal of educating the commercial vehicle industry, Sergeant Ramirez instituted “Operation D.A.R.T.” (Driver Awareness Regulation Training). Recognizing the need for up-to-date
information on both Federal and state commercial trucking rules and regulations, Sgt. Ramirez developed this program specifically for the over-the-road commercial vehicle driver. The Department’s command van is utilized in these informal roadside details, providing a physical point of contact for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to meet face-to-face with certified CMV Officers. These details are extremely positive and invaluable in providing CMV drivers with factual information. The Officers are able to dispel rumors, provide drivers with current, correct, and updated information, and provide any printed information the drivers may request, including hours of service, hazardous materials, load securement, CSA, and “9 Myths About Safety Belts for Truck Drivers.” Officers will sit down and go over drivers’ logbooks with them, to make sure they are completing them correctly, as well as thoroughly explain the mandatory downtime regulations, all in an effort to prevent fatigued drivers from driving. All of these measures greatly benefit both the motoring public and the transportation industry as a whole, since the drivers pass the information on not only to their company headquarters, but to fellow commercial drivers as well. Sgt. Ramirez’s interaction with the
trucking industry has included numerous safety presentations to companies that
Arizona Trucking Association 2012 Yearbook
DPS Sergeant Eloy Ramirez pushes education along with enforcement
include Citizen’s Auto, Sierrita Mining, Waste Management, UPS, FedEx, Union Pacific Railroad, Saguaro Waste Management, Circle K Corporation, HDS Truck Driving School and numerous local Tucson businesses. He also provides A.O.T. (Advanced Officer Training) to DPS Officers in southern Arizona. The training provides Officers with up-to- date information about new as well as upcoming regulations involving the trucking community. Sgt. Ramirez has also designed and
FMCSA Chief Safety Officer and Assistant Administrator Jack Van Steenburg (at left) listens as Sgt. Ramirez counsels a truck driver at the D.A.R.T. command post during RoadCheck 2012
provided PowerPoint presentations and training for local court personnel, judges, and attorneys, in order for them to better understand the safety considerations involving commercial vehicles, CVSA safety concerns, and federal regulations. Several owners of Arizona truck stops, such as Triple T, Gas City, Little America, and TA, have attended the DART presentations held on their own properties, and have both verbally and formally thanked Sgt. Ramirez for his efforts. They are always inviting and extremely supportive of the program. Sgt. Ramirez’s leadership is reflected
in the motivation and diligent pursuit of educating the trucking industry as actively exhibited by the members of his squad and District, and the outstanding success they have had in the program’s short life span. Since the program’s inception in 2008, over 4,000 commercial vehicle drivers have participated in these roadside get-togethers. Through Sgt. Ramirez’s diligent education, the number of prevented violations as well as the number of prevented crashes or even deaths, can never be calculated. In the program’s short existence, Sgt.
Ramirez’s success and his commitment to advancing law enforcement cooperation with
industry has been applauded and published by a national safety enforcement magazine, “The Guardian.” The Department of Public Safety’s publication “The Digest” has also praised the program in numerous articles, interviews and photographs. “I have had several opportunities
to work side-by-side with Sgt. Ramirez at different commercial enforcement and outreach events,” said ATA President & CEO Karen Rasmussen. “Eloy’s personal warmth, welcoming manner and true attitude of caring can charm even the grumpiest truck driver—and we’ve seen a few on occasions! They very quickly figure out that he is there to help them. As a result, almost all of them walk away with a smile on their face and the knowledge that he cares about them and about truck safety,” she said. “I’ve been impressed with the D.A.R.T.
program from the very first time I saw it in operation,” Rasmussen said. “Its ‘no-penalty’ approach of helping out-of-compliance drivers sends a powerful message to the trucking industry that Arizona DPS is not just out there to write tickets, but truly to make the roads safer,” she said. Sgt. Ramirez’s consistent efforts
exemplify the spirit of cooperation and education that is the cornerstone of effective law enforcement and is the basis for his nomination for the Outstanding Commercial Enforcement Officer of the Year Award.
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