For professional truck drivers who have been driving on American roads for a few years, the action taking place in May is no surprise, as it has been held annually since 1988.
The CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) International Roadcheck will take place from May 13th to 15th, and certified inspectors will be paying special attention to drivers’ hours of service and, from a technical standpoint, the condition of tires on both tractors and trailers.
During these three days, enforcement agencies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will conduct detailed inspections of commercial vehicles and driver qualifications. Inspections will take place at weigh stations, temporary checkpoints, and by mobile patrols that will stop trucks mainly on highways.
During the upcoming action, inspectors will, in most cases, conduct a Level 1 inspection, which is a comprehensive, 37-point check covering both driver qualification requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness. The data collected during the action will be analyzed, and the results will be published during the summer.
During the driver inspection, inspectors will verify their documents, such as their driver’s license, medical card, professional skills certificates, hours-of-service records (Electronic Logging Devices – ELDs), status in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse database, seat belt use, and “alcohol and/or drug impairment,” which in the context of a roadside inspection means that inspectors check whether the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs that could negatively affect their ability to safely operate a truck.
In the vehicle’s technical condition inspection, the following will be checked in detail, among other things: brake system, cargo securement, coupling devices, fuel and exhaust system, frame, steering, lighting, suspension, wheels, tires, and windshield wipers.
This year, the CVSA is paying particular attention to tires, emphasizing that their proper maintenance is extremely important. A tire failure on the road is not only a threat to the driver but also to other road users. It also means significant costs and losses for transport companies. Inspectors will check tread depth, tire air pressure, and look for damage such as air leaks, tread separation, cuts, bulges, etc.
Vehicles that successfully pass the Level 1 inspection will receive a special CVSA sticker, placed on the windshield, which is valid for three months. During last year’s action, over 48,000 vehicles were inspected, of which the majority, 95.2%, had no out-of-service violations.
Wide and safe roads are wished by ALL ABOUT TRUCKS & TransLab!!! We put Truckers first !!!
