8 CVSA International Roadcheck Tips for 2022

This year's Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 17-19, 2022. During the annual three-day event, CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct compliance, enforcement and educational initiatives that are critical to carriers, vehicles and drivers.¹

The CVSA sponsors the event with participation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (Mexico). It's the largest program of its kind, with nearly 15 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute across North America during the three days.¹

The impact of inspections

Every year, International Roadcheck places special emphasis on a category of violations. This year, the focus will be on wheel ends. About one quarter of the vehicle out-of-service violations involve wheel end components. ²

According to the CVSA, more than 40,000 inspections were conducted throughout Canada, Mexico and the U.S in total during last year’s Roadcheck. Of the 23,135 Level I Inspections performed, 21.8% of vehicles and 5.2% of drivers were removed from roadways due to critical vehicle or driver inspection item violations discovered. ³ 

In the U.S. alone, 19,786 Level I Inspections were conducted, with 4,136 vehicles and 1,083 drivers removed from roadways due to the discovery of critical vehicle inspection items, out-of-service violations or unsafe out-of-service driver conditions. ³

The top five vehicle out-of-service violations in 2021 were³:

• Brake system – 2,564 violations
• Tires – 1,804
• Lights – 1,367
• Brake adjustment – 1,203
• Cargo securement – 1,192

During each inspection, inspectors will identify the carrier, collect and verify the driver’s documents and examine the driver’s license or commercial driver’s license (CDL), check record of duty status and review periodic inspection report(s). They will also check drivers for seat belt usage, illness, fatigue and alcohol/drug possession or impairment.

The focus on wheel ends during this year’s Roadcheck makes it all the more important for trucking companies to confirm if their vehicles are in need of maintenance.  Past Roadcheck data indicates that wheel end components were in the top 10 vehicle violations. ²

Download this free eBook to prepare your staff and drivers for roadside inspections.

Tips for a successful International Roadcheck experience:

1. First and foremost, make sure your truck drivers always wear their seat belts, and that they always maintain a positive and professional attitude with the law enforcement and inspectors.

2. During vehicle safety inspections, enforcement officials will check a number of systems and components, including:

• Brake systems
• Cargo securement
• Fuel systems
• Lighting devices
• Tire condition
• Exhaust systems and more

3. Drivers should be prepared to provide the following items to inspectors:

• Valid CDL
• Valid Federal Medical Examiner's Certificate
• HOS documentation
• Motor carrier registration
• Shipping papers/documentation

4. Drivers should also have at the ready:

• A copy of the company’s Insurance Certificate in the tractor
• A copy of the company’s Hazardous Materials Certificate in the tractor (if applicable)
• A current, up-to-date permit book
• A charged and secure fire extinguisher in the tractor
• The required emergency equipment in the tractor (three reflective triangles)
• Proof of annual inspection for all equipment, including tractor/trailer

5. For Hours of Service, make sure drivers understand:

• What type of Electronic Logging Device (ELD) is installed and how to operate it
• How to provide the Inspector instructions
• How to display required and requested information

6. Prepare your equipment:

• Keep your vehicle as neat and clean as possible
• Conduct proper and thorough pre-trip vehicle inspection reports

7. Pay particular attention to:

• Wheels, tires and rims
• Vehicle lighting
• Brakes
• Any observable defects

8. And for hazmat situtations, make sure that:

• Placards are not damaged or missing and are on all four sides of the vehicle
• A current Emergency Response Guide (ERG) is present in the cab
• Your shipping paper is accurate and contains:
• UN or NA Identification Number
• Proper shipping name
• Hazard class/division
• Packing group

How proactive maintenance can help keep fleets inspection-ready

Staying on top of preventive maintenance can help keep your vehicles out of service bays and ready for any roadcheck event. GPS fleet tracking technology with built-in asset tracking provides advanced engine diagnostics and instant mileage reporting, as well as vehicle service alerts based on distance traveled, hours worked or predetermined dates. This can help you form proactive maintenance plans and only pay for repairs when they’re necessary, while keeping your vehicles in the best possible shape.

The right GPS fleet management system can also help you:

• Control repair costs by identifying small maintenance problems before they become big ones
• Reduce breakdowns by sending you reminders via text or email when vehicles are due for tire rotations, tune-ups, or other preventive maintenance
• Eliminate mechanic guesswork by providing you with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) that pinpoint specific maintenance issues

Sources:

¹ https://www.cvsa.org/programs/international-roadcheck/

² https://www.cvsa.org/programs/international-roadcheck/focus-area/

³ https://www.cvsa.org/news/2021-roadcheck-results/