From June 4-6, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will conduct its annual International Roadcheck Inspection Blitz. Every year, the 72 hour inspection blitz takes a closer look at a designated category to check for violations. This year, CVSA will focus on steering and suspension systems, which are critical safety systems for any type of commercial motor vehicle. According to CVSA President, Chief Jay Thompson with the Arkansas Highway Police, not only do steering and suspension “support the heavy loads carried by trucks and buses, but they also help maintain stability and control under acceleration and braking, keeping the vehicle safely on the road.”
The International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world. On average, in the three days of inspection blitz, 17 trucks and buses are inspected in Canada, the United States and Mexico every minute.
The 2019 International Roadcheck
During the 2018 inspection blitz, which focused on hours-of-service, nearly 12,000 trucks and buses were placed out-of-service. Hours-of-service violations for all inspections conducted during the event were actually under two percent, while brake systems, tires and wheels, and brake adjustments topped the list of violations for trucks. Out-of-service driver violations included hours-of-service, wrong class license and fake logs.
Chief Thompson states that steering and suspension systems are also key in tire maintenance. These systems help keep tires in alignment to help reduce chances of uneven tire wear and even tire failure. Due to their critical importance to highway safety, CVSA has chosen to focus on steering and suspension systems in the 2019 inspection blitz.
Inspectors during the International Roadcheck will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection, which is a 37-step procedure that examines both vehicle mechanical fitness and driver operation requirements. Additionally, inspectors may conduct a Level II Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection, a Level III Driver/Credential/Administrative Inspection and a Level V Vehicle only inspection.
If violations are found, the vehicle may be rendered out of service providing the condition meets the North American Out-of-Service Criteria. Until the violations are fixed, the vehicle cannot be operated. Additionally, drivers may be placed out of service for violations related to their credentials or for conditions like fatigue or impairment.
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