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CVSA Roadcheck Turns 2020 Focus to Driver Requirements

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Sara Goodman

Sara Goodman

General Manager

 

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will conduct its International Roadcheck from May 5-7, 2020. The International Roadcheck is an annual, three-day enforcement initiative that emphasizes the importance of commercial motor vehicle and driver safety through the use of a blitz of high-visibility roadside inspections throughout North America.

This year’s International Roadcheck is being conducted earlier in the year than in the past with the hope that weather conditions will be more favorable for inspections in many jurisdictions.

During the three days, CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection, which includes 37 steps in two primary categories: driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness. Commercial drivers and vehicles transporting hazardous materials or dangerous goods may be subject to additional steps.

Each year, the CVSA places particular emphasis on a specific category of inspections, such as last year’s focus on steering and suspension systems. This year’s focus is on driver requirements.

As part of each inspection, inspectors will check and verify drivers’ documentation, identify the motor carrier, examine the driver’s license or commercial driver’s license, check records of duty status and review periodic inspection reports. Inspectors may also check drivers’ medical examiner certificates, medical variance documents, skill performance evaluation certificates and daily vehicle inspection reports. Other driver-related steps of inspections include seat belt usage, illness, fatigue, and drug or alcohol possession or impairment.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, over 3.35 million inspections were conducted in 2019, resulting in 944,794 driver violations and 195,545 out-of-service violations.

The vehicle portion of inspections includes checks on critical vehicle components, including:

  • Brake systems
  • Cargo securement Coupling devices Fuel systems
  • Lighting devices
  • Steering mechanisms Tires
  • Wheels
  • Driver’s seats
  • Driveline/driveshaft components Exhaust systems
  • Frames
  • Suspensions
  • Van and open-top trailer bodies Rims and hubs
  • Windshield wipers

The International Roadcheck is the largest enforcement initiative on commercial motor vehicles and drivers in the world. During the 72-hour time period, approximately 17 trucks and buses are inspected every minute. You can read the CVSA’s official press release about this year’s International Roadcheck by navigating to their website.