CHP DOES SURPRISE INSPECTION OF JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK TOUR BUSSES

The California Highway Patrol held an unannounced inspection of all commercial tour buses going in to Joshua Tree National Park Friday, September 19. The inspection was to ensure visitor safety, reducing chances of crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving tour buses bringing passengers into the park. Inspections are designed to determine if buses are in compliance with federal motor carrier safety regulations. The CHP only conducts these inspections at locations where passengers have access to shelter, food, and water; the inspections occurred just outside the park boundary in Joshua Tree. CHP officers examined three commercial buses. All were found to be in compliance and were released without citation. One park commercial use licensee was given a verbal warning for violation of their permit. This was the second unannounced inspection this year.