In March 2020, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) announced the postponement of International Roadcheck due to the coronavirus pandemic, with new dates to be determined. CVSA has now rescheduled International Roadcheck for Sept. 9-11.

This is the 33rd year for this event, known to be the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world.  The organization has on record that that nearly 17 trucks or buses are inspected every minute across North America during this 72-hour period! Here is some helpful fleet safety information to start educating your drivers about this event and its importance in assuring safe commercial vehicle operations, along with information in regard to the roadside inspection program. 

In 2019, there were over 67,000 Level I, II and III inspections by CVSA-certified inspectors in North America, including 7,014 inspections in Canada and 60,058 conducted in the United States.  Of these inspections, 17.9% of commercial motor vehicles inspected and 4.2% of all drivers inspected were placed out of service due to critical item violations. This is an increase from the year prior. Of the inspections conducted, the top out-of-service violations for vehicles and drivers were:

• Vehicle: 
• Brake systems= 28.0%
• Tire/wheels= 19.3%
• Brake adjustment= 17.1%
• Driver: 
• Hours of service= 37.2%
• Wrong class license= 22.5%
• False record of duty status= 14.7%

Each year International Roadcheck places special emphasis on a category of violations. Last year’s special emphasis was on steering and suspension systems. It’s been reported that steering violations accounted for 2.5% and suspension violations accounted for 4.3% of the total percentage of all out-of-service violations.

This year’s focus will be on the driver requirements category of a roadside inspection.

Click here for Driver Requirements checklist!

CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police said, “Although the coronavirus pandemic, understandably, shifted priorities and personnel during the spring, the commercial motor vehicle law enforcement community has reasserted its focus on the roadside inspection program and enforcement duties.” “Jurisdictions are nearly back to their pre-pandemic capacity with a strengthened concentration on identifying and removing unfit vehicles and drivers from our roadways using federal safety standards and the out-of-service criteria.”

HERE ARE OTHER HELPFUL TIPS FOR MOTOR CARRIERS AND DRIVERS TO ENSURE THEY ARE SAFE AND HAVE A SUCCESSFUL 2020 ROADCHECK:

Motor Carriers:

• Inform drivers about Roadcheck and what to expect
• Educate drivers on DOT transportation regulations and on company policy and procedures and ensure that all DOT regulations are being met
• Repair items noted on vehicle inspection reports and roadside inspections
• Discuss safety compliance and safe operations to drivers

Drivers:

• Always follow the rules of the road and buckle up
• Pre-inspect the condition of the vehicle, ensure the load is secure and mirrors are adjusted properly
• Obey speed limits and traffic signs.  Slow down in bad weather conditions and when driving in construction zones
• Maintain a safe following distance and check mirrors constantly
• Make safe lane changes, and only as necessary
• Focus on driving and avoid or minimize truck distractions such as eating, etc.
• Be fit for duty, never drive under the influence and be sure to get enough sleep before driving

The CVSA guide Understanding the North American Standard Inspection Program is shown below and can be downloaded by clicking here.  It is a very concise guide that reviews the Inspection Program, including a guide on Inspection levels and CVSA decals. 

CHECK OUT THESE LINKS BELOW FOR OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION TO PREPARE FOR THE 2019 ROADCHECK

• Click here for more information on CVSA International Roadcheck 2020
• Click here for the International Roadcheck Checklist for Drivers
• Click here for the North American Standard Roadside Inspection Vehicle Cheat Sheet