CVSA inspectors placed 1 in 4 vehicles out of service

Commercial vehicle inspectors across North America completed 73,023 truck and bus inspections during 72 hours of its annual enforcement and safety outreach campaign this year. The Roadcheck 2013 event, carried out by the members of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), took place June 4 through 6.

Of those inspections, a total of 47,771 were North American Standard Level I inspections — the most comprehensive roadside inspection, in which vehicles and drivers are assessed for violations of federal, state or Canadian provincial safety regulations. Other inspections conducted were vehicle-only or driver-only inspections. Of Level I inspections conducted in Canada and the U.S., 24.1% were found with out-of-service (OOS) violations. There were a total of 71,630 driver inspections, including those conducted during Level I inspections, from which 4.3% were found with OOS violations. There were 899 seatbelt violations issued.

Roadcheck 2013 included special emphasis on motorcoach safety, including traffic enforcement, as well as securement of cargo. Motorcoaches account for a fraction of the commercial vehicles on the road, but the importance of their safe operation is compounded by the many passengers they must safely deliver to their destinations.

Jurisdictions reported a total of 1,471 motorcoaches were inspected during Roadcheck this year. CVSA also collaborated with the International Association of Chiefs of Police to request their support in conducting enforcement of traffic safety laws on bus and motorcoach drivers.

Brakes routinely stand out in the mix of OOS violations issued during Roadcheck. This year, 49.6% of vehicle OOS violations were related to brake adjustment and other brake system violations. Additionally, performance based brake testers (PBBTs) were used during Roadcheck 2013.

Nine U.S. states and one Canadian province are equipped with PBBT systems for enforcement use. Of the 287 enforcement inspections conducted with a PBBT, 36 vehicles or 12.5% were found with overall braking efficiency below the minimum required by U.S. regulation and the North American Standard OOS Criteria.

CVSA estimates that more than 10,000 CVSA and FMCSA inspectors participated at approximately 2,500 locations across North America during this year’s Roadcheck. On an annual basis, nearly 4 million inspections are conducted across the continent.

Roadcheck inspected approximately 1,000 commercial vehicles every hour during the 72-hour event. The U.S., Canada and Mexico participated with inspections occurring either at fixed or temporary inspection locations. The law enforcement community was also watching for traffic law violations.

Inspections included an examination of driver licenses and credentials, proper and complete records of duty status, safety belt use, driving behaviors and other driver safety conditions. All vehicle systems that are critical to safe operation were checked.

CVSA sponsors Roadcheck each year with the support of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (Mexico).