Yes, it’s true! The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) annual International Roadcheck is (once again) right around the corner. The 72-hour enforcement event is set to take place Tuesday, May 4 through Thursday, May 6.
Roadcheck always seems to come up quickly— especially if you’re unprepared—but even moreso this year because the 2020 safety event was held off until September due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With less than a month to go, it is essential that you prepare yourself and your drivers to operate as compliantly as possible.
What to Expect
Experienced motor carriers know the drill: For 72 hours, inspectors across North America ask commercial motor vehicles to pull over for on-the-spot inspections. These are meant to ensure driver and truck safety. Each year, the CVSA highlights a particular focus—anything from driver requirements to steering and suspension systems.
This year, the dual focus is lighting and hours of service compliance. Both of these were top violations in 2020.
When it comes to the hours-of-service requirement, inspectors will be looking at drivers’ work shift, consecutive hour and day limits, driving breaks, sleeper berths, adverse driving condition extensions and air-mile radius conditions as identified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). For the lighting requirement, meanwhile, devices including headlamps, turn signals, and tail, clearance, identification, license plate, side marker, and stop lamps will be inspected for proper color, operation, mounting and visibility. Inspectors will also note the condition and location of reflectors and retroreflective sheeting.
Level 1 Inspection
The North American Standard Level I Inspection is very thorough, as well.
Inspectors eagle eye safety and compliance around brake systems, cargo securement, exhaust systems, fuel systems, tires, steering mechanisms, suspensions, lighting devices, frames and driveline/driveshaft. Drivers are also asked to provide proof of operating credentials, medical cards, records of duty status and vehicle inspection reports. They are evaluated for basic levels of driving safety, as well—including such factors as whether they’re wearing a seatbelt, appear fatigued, or show any visible signs of alcohol or drug impairment.
Inspectors will also be paying close attention to DOT Clearinghouse compliance, which is now in full effect. So make sure that you and your drivers know and meet Clearinghouse obligations.
Vehicles and drivers that pass inspection receive a CVSA decal. If violations are found, however, the driver and the vehicle may both be placed out of service immediately. This type of violation could significantly impact a motor carrier’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) score.
Top Violations
During the 2020 International Roadcheck held in September, more than 50,000 inspections were conducted throughout North America. The 2020 focus was on driver requirements.
All told, more than 30% of trucks and drivers were placed out of service due to various compliance issues.
The top vehicle violations involved braking systems, tires, lights, cargo securement and brake adjustment. More than 25% of vehicles chosen for inspection were issued lighting-related violations.
Meanwhile, hours of service violations accounted for nearly 35% of all driver out-of-service conditions. Other top driver violations fell into the “other” category (including moving violations and cell phone use while driving), wrong class licenses, false logs, and suspended licenses.
In general, other all-to-common driver violations involve medical cards and CDL licensing. Per federal law, all interstate drivers operating a vehicle weighing 10,001 pounds or more are required to have a current medical card (and these generally must be updated every two years, although that can be required more frequently for drivers with certain medical conditions).
Not maintaining a valid medical certificate in a Driver Qualification File has also been a top violation during audits.
With CDL licensing, meanwhile, drivers have been caught operating with the wrong license class, with suspended, expired, or revoked CDLs, or with multiple CDLs.
Be Prepared! Know the DOT Clearinghouse requirements; include a check of the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) as part of pre-employment screenings; and enroll all drivers in an MVR Monitoring Program like the one we offer here at Foley.
If you have any questions about CDL compliance, or would like help enhancing your company’s compliance, please contact us!
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