What is the CVSA’s International Roadcheck?

Suspension

Important Information Regarding the June 2019 International Roadcheck

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 International 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 and drivers on the road.  The following information provides some great guidance regarding the 2019 International Roadcheck Blitz.

What is the purpose of the International Roadcheck?

The International Roadcheck is an annual three-day event, typically in June, 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 1.4 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 International Roadcheck will be taking place this year June 4 – 6 of 2019.  Each year, the CVSA emphasizes a category of violations and this year the group is highlighting steering components and suspension systems as a reminder of their importance to highway safety.

“Steering and suspension are safety critical systems for any commercial motor vehicle.  Not only do they 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,” said Jay Thompson CVSA President and Chief with the Arkansas Highway Police.

What exactly will the inspectors be checking for the steering and suspension components?  Click on the following link for more details and a helpful download – http://cvsa.org/wp-content/uploads/International-Roadcheck-Focus-Area-Flyer.pdf

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?

  1. Get Organized – If you have paperwork then keep it all organized in a binder.
  2. Clean Up Your Truck – Clean both the inside and out of the truck, particularly the cab and sleeper.
  3. Fill Out Your HOS Every Day – Track this every day and fill in your report before you quit for the day.
  4. Clear the Air – Manually drain the air tanks periodically, based on your truck’s air usage.
  5. 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.
  6. Secure Your Load – Pay attention to tiedowns and other cargo securement methods.
  7. 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.
  8. 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://cvsa.org/wp-content/uploads/International-Roadcheck-Vehicle-Inspection-Cheatsheet.pdf

What was the focus area and results from the 2018 International Roadcheck?

The 2018 CVSA International Roadcheck took place June 5 – 7 and the focus was on hours-of-service compliance.  Nearly 12,000 trucks and buses and more than 2,600 drivers were sidelined with out-of-service orders during the Roadcheck last year.  Brakes, tires, wheels, and brake adjustment were the top three vehicle out-of-service violations issued.  The top driver out-of-service violations were hours of service, wrong class license, and false record of duty status.  The following are the complete results of the 2018 International Roadcheck – https://cvsa.org/news-entry/2018-roadcheck-results/

Poorly maintained trucks that violate safety rules can lead to drivers losing control and causing severe car accidents, resulting in injuries and fatalities.  Truck accidents can be especially devastating to others on the road in smaller trucks and passenger cars.  The annual International Roadcheck Blitz is designed to bring attention to this critical aspect of highway safety.  If all drivers can create a routine of focusing on road safety every day it will go a long way in reducing accidents and saving lives.

Download 2019 International Roadcheck Reminder Flyer Here

Sources:

“Roadcheck Program Aims to Improve Trucking Safety”, On behalf of John A. Caputo & Associates, April 3, 2019. https://www.johncaputo.com/blog/2019/04/roadcheck-program-aims-to-improve-trucking-safety.shtml

“How to Prepare For Roadcheck 2019”, January 2019. https://www.atbs.com/knowledge-hub/how-to-prepare-for-roadcheck

“2019 International Roadcheck Will Focus on Steering and Suspension”, March 25, 2019. https://www.truckinginfo.com/327986/2019-international-roadcheck-will-focus-on-steering-and-suspension

“8 Tips to Survive International Roadcheck”, Drivewyze, June 2, 2017. https://drivewyze.com/blog/safety/8-tips-survive-international-roadcheck/

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