Important Information Regarding the International Roadcheck (2023 Update)

Roadside inspections are a critical part of the trucking industry.  They help ensure that truck drivers are compliant with the laws and are operating safely on the road.  It is important that you are ready for the possibility of a roadcheck each time you get on the road. Safety officials noted that while the roadcheck program raises the profile of truck inspections, the actual safety standards are consistent throughout the year. The program aims to reduce truck crashes by alerting truck drivers and the industry to unsafe vehicles on the road.  The following information provides some great guidance regarding the 2023 International Roadcheck.

What is the purpose of the International Roadcheck?

The International Roadcheck is an annual three-day event when CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement, and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle, and driver safety.  Since its inception in 1988, roadside inspections conducted have numbered more than 1.6 million.  It is a CVSA program with participation by the FMCSA, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and the Ministry of Communications and Transportation of Mexico.  The Roadcheck really provides a great opportunity to educate the industry and public about the importance of safe commercial vehicle operations and the roadside inspection program.

What are the dates and emphasis of the International Roadcheck?

The Roadcheck will be taking place May 16-18. Each year, the CVSA emphasizes a category of violations and this year the group will focus on two areas of the commercial vehicles they examine, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and cargo securement. Vehicles found with ABS violations are not eligible to be placed out of service, “but ABS plays a critical role in reducing the risk of collisions by preventing the wheels from locking up or skidding, allowing a driver to maintain control of the vehicle while braking,” according to the CVSA release. In addition, cargo securement—particularly important on flatbeds and bulk trailers—when done improperly, poses a serious risk to drivers and other motorists by impacting the vehicle’s maneuverability, or worse, causing unsecured loads to come loose, resulting in traffic hazards and vehicle collisions, according to CVSA.

The most common violations on vehicles inspected during Roadcheck 2022 were for brake systems, tires, defective service brakes, lights, and this year’s focus, cargo securement.  The most common violations on vehicles inspected during Roadcheck 2022 were for brake systems, tires, defective service brakes, lights, and this year’s focus, cargo securement. False logs put more than 1,921 drivers out of service, while another 1,066 were cited for driving with the wrong class license. Hours of service, suspended licenses and no medical cards rounded out the top five reasons that drivers were cited during the event last May.

Vehicle out-of-service rates hovered around 23%, according to results from that event, which were released in September. Roadcheck 2022 saw a 6.4% driver out-of-service rate. Click the following link for more information regarding the focus areas for 2023 – https://www.cvsa.org/programs/international-roadcheck/focus-area/

What will be inspected during the International Roadcheck?

CVSA-certified inspectors will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level 1 Inspection, a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness, click the following link for details on what each step entails – https://medalliontrans.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CVSA-Inspection-Schematics.pdf.

Inspectors may choose to conduct the Level II Walk Around/Driver/Vehicle Inspection, Level III Driver/Credential/Administrative Inspection or Level V Vehicle-Only Inspection.

What else will drivers need to provide during the inspection?

• Driver’s License (Operating Credentials)
• Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation Certificate (If Applicable)
• Driver’s record of duty status and vehicle inspection reports (If Applicable)
• Inspectors will also check drivers for seat belt usage, sickness, fatigue and apparent alcohol and/or drug impairment.

A CVSA decal will be applied to vehicles if no critical vehicle inspection items are found during Level 1 or 5 inspections.  No decals will be issued if a rear impact guard is required and violations are found.  Equipment will be placed out-of-service if conditions fail to meet the North American Standard out-of-service criteria.

What are some good tips to survive the International Roadcheck?

• Get Organized – If you have paperwork then keep it all organized in a binder.
• Clean Up Your Truck – Clean both the inside and out of the truck, particularly the cab and sleeper.
• Fill Out Your HOS Every Day – Track this every day and fill in your report before you quit for the day.
• Clear The Air – Manually drain the air tanks periodically, based on your truck’s air usage.
• Break to Check Your Brakes – During your next vehicle inspection, spend a little more time on the brakes. Check the brake pads as well as the drums and rotors.
• Secure Your Load – Pay attention to tiedowns and other cargo securement methods.
• Maintain Pressure – Monitoring tire pressure is quite likely the one thing drivers can do that can have the greatest impact not only on improving safety, but also in reducing operating costs.
• Keep the Tail & Running Lights Operational – Running lights and tail lights must be installed on certain parts of a truck or trailer and in certain locations to maximize visibility and to ensure secure mounting.

Some other helpful information can be found in the following Roadside Inspection Cheat Sheet – https://www.cvsa.org/wp-content/uploads/International-Roadcheck-Vehicle-Inspection-Cheatsheet.pdf

What was the focus area and results from the 2022 International Roadcheck?

The 2022 CVSA International Roadcheck took place May 17-19 and the focus was on wheel ends.

CVSA-certified inspectors conducted 59,026 inspections and placed 12,456 commercial motor vehicles and 3,714 commercial motor vehicle drivers out of service.  Braking systems, tires and defective service brakes were the top three vehicle out-of-service violations issued.  The top driver out-of-service violations were false logs, wrong class license and hours of service.  The following are the complete results of the 2022 International Roadcheck – https://www.cvsa.org/news/2022-roadcheck-results/

The annual International Roadcheck is designed to bring attention to driver and vehicle safety requirements that must be followed every day in order to keep our roads safe.  If all drivers can create a routine of focusing on road safety and what is required of them, it will go a long way in reducing accidents and saving lives.

SOURCES:

CVSA Website – https://www.cvsa.org/news/2023-roadcheck/

 “Roadcheck 2023 Blitz to Focus on ABS, Cargo Securement”, FleetOwner, March 2, 2023