CVSA International Roadcheck Event Set for May 13-15
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The , scheduled for May 13-15, will focus on driver record of duty status and vehicle tires.
During the three-day event, which takes place across Canada, Mexico and the United States, law enforcement personnel will conduct inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weigh and inspection stations, temporary sites and mobile patrols to verify regulatory compliance.
The results of the data collected from the event will be released this summer.
Each year, International Roadcheck places special emphasis on a driver violation category and a vehicle violation category. During International Roadcheck, inspectors will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection, a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness.
During the vehicle portion of the Level I Inspection, inspectors ensure the vehicle’s brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, driver’s seat, fuel and exhaust systems, frames, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, wheels, rims, hubs, and windshield wipers comply with applicable regulations.
Hours-of-service regulations are in place to safeguard transportation safety by limiting driving hours and mandating adequate rest breaks to ensure commercial motor vehicle drivers have the opportunity to get the rest they need. The goal is to prevent crashes and incidents caused by fatigue.
CVSA said that to ensure compliance with HOS regulations, drivers must accurately reflect their times and duty statuses in their RODS, which is a log that a commercial motor vehicle driver must maintain to record their driving activity. Failure to record, complete or retain the log, or knowingly falsifying logs or other related reports, is not only a driver out-of-service violation, it also makes the driver and/or carrier liable to prosecution.
During the driver portion of an inspection, inspectors check the driver’s documents, license or commercial driver license, medical examiner’s certificate and skill performance certificate, record of duty status, U.S. Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse status, seat belt usage, and alcohol and/or drug impairment.
If an inspector identifies a driver out-of-service violation, the driver will be placed out of service, restricting him or her from operating their vehicle.
The importance of proper tire maintenance cannot be overstated, CVSA said. Tire failure while in transit is a hazard and also is far more expensive and time-consuming for motor carriers to repair in-transit. During Roadcheck, inspectors will check tread depth and proper inflation, and also will be on the lookout for tire damage, such as air leaks, tread separation, cuts, bulges, sidewall damage and improper repairs.
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A vehicle that successfully passes a Level I or V Inspection without any critical vehicle inspection item violations may receive a CVSA decal, which is valid for up to three months.
As part of International Roadcheck, inspectors may also be available to answer questions about tire health and violations, and to help drivers navigate the HOS regulations in their jurisdictions.
CVSA said that in the event of inclement weather or other limiting circumstances during the three-day event, a jurisdiction or an inspector may opt to conduct a limited Level II Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection or Level III Driver/Credential/Administrative Inspection, instead of a Level I Inspection. Level II and III Inspections are not eligible for a CVSA decal.
At last year’s May 14-16 Roadcheck event, commercial motor vehicle enforcement personnel in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. conducted 48,761 inspections. A total of 77% of those inspections of CMVs and 95.2% of commercial motor vehicle drivers did not have any out-of-service violations.
