05/08/2023
It’s nearly time again for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) annual International Roadcheck. The 72-hour enforcement event is set to take place from Tuesday, May 16 - Thursday, May 18, 2023.
International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 15 trucks and motorcoaches inspected, on average, every minute across North America during a 72-hour period.
Since its inception in 1988, roadside inspections conducted during International Roadcheck have numbered more than 1.8 million. International Roadcheck also provides an opportunity to educate industry and the general public about the importance of safe commercial motor vehicle operations and the roadside inspection program.
This year, inspectors will pay close attention to anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and cargo securement.
A truck's ABS prevents the wheels from locking up or skidding while braking, reducing the risk of collisions and drivers losing control of Commercial Motor Vehicles.
According to the CVSA, improper or inadequate cargo securement accounted for 10.6% of all vehicle out-of-service violations discovered during last year’s International Roadcheck, and past International Roadcheck data routinely found cargo securement violations in the top five of vehicle out-of-service violations.
In order to pick which trucks would go through a complete inspection, the DMV’s Commercial Vehicle Information Exchange Window (CVIEW) system identifies new rigs with companies that haven’t gone through an inspection before, older companies that are overdue, and trucks working for carriers that have poor safety scores.
Inspectors will be looking for any critical vehicle inspection item violations; including coupling devices, driveline and driveshaft components, steering mechanisms, exhaust and fuel systems, tires, wheels, windshield wipers, lighting systems, and driver's seats. Placing non-compliant vehicles out of service, meaning those trucks cannot be operated until the problematic conditions have been corrected.
Those that successfully pass vehicle inspections will receive a CVSA decal to display on their trucks, which will be valid for three months. Generally, vehicles displaying a valid CVSA decal will not be subject to additional inspections for that time period.
Inspections will also closely analyze driver operating credentials, proper seat belt usage, HOS documentation, valid medical cards, FMCSA Clearinghouse registration and visual signs of fatigue or drug/alcohol abuse or impairment.
