The blitz will be on next week! Now in its 30^th year, Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial vehicles in the world. Approximately 17 trucks are inspected every minute throughout North America during the 72 hour period. This year, Roadcheck is happening from Tuesday, June 6^th to Thursday, June 8^th.   Each year, International Roadcheck places special emphasis on a category of violations. This year’s focus is on freight securement. In addition to this focus, roadside inspectors across Canada, the United States and Mexico will be conducting the North American Standard Level I Inspection, which is the most thorough roadside inspection.

To prepare, drivers should check all these areas prior to heading out on the road. Following pre-trip inspection practices along with standard industry maintenance schedules will do a lot to prevent violations during the blitz. Below, some details on the to key topics of this year’s event.

Freight Securement

While checking for a driver’s compliance with cargo securement regulations is always part of roadside inspections, CVSA is highlighting cargo securement safety this year as a reminder of its importance to highway safety. Here’s some steps a driver can take to make sure they are carrying a safe load:

• Check tail board security. All mechanisms must be secure and operating as designed.
• Verify end gates are secured in stake pockets.
• Check both sides of the trailer to ensure cargo is protected from shifting or falling.
• Verify that rear doors close securely.
• Where load is visible, check for proper blocking and bracing. Loads that shift can cause not only crashes but damage to the cargo and to the equipment. They also indicate violations that will affect a carrier company’s safety rating.
• It may be necessary to examine inside of trailer to assure that large objects are properly secured.
• Check cargo securement devices for proper number, size and condition.
• Check tie down anchor points for deformation and cracking.

We provided more detailed information on the best practices for cargo securement in a blog post back in September. Check it out here: Cargo Securement Best Practices.

North American Standard Level 1 Inspection

Along with this focus on freight securement, inspectors primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection during this year’s Roadcheck event. This type of inspection is the most thorough roadside inspection and it will be happening in jurisdictions across Canada, the United States and Mexico. Roadside inspections are conducted by highly-qualified, specially-trained and certified state, provincial, territorial, and federal law enforcement personnel.  During an inspection, drivers are required to provide items such as their license, endorsements, medical card and hours-of-service documentation, and may be checked for seat belt usage and the use of alcohol and/or drugs. The NA Standard Level 1 Inspection is a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of both the driver and vehicle, in the following sequence:

1. Choose Inspection Site
2. Approach the vehicle
3. Greet and prepare driver
4. Interview driver
5. Collect the driver’s documents
6. Check for the presence of hazardous materials/transportation of hazardous goods
7. Identify the carrier
8. Examine driver’s license
9. Check Medical Examiners Certificate and Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificate (if applicable)
10. Check record of duty status
11. Review driver’s daily inspection report (if applicable)
12. Review periodic inspection report(s)
13. Prepare driver for vehicle inspection
14. Inspect front of tractor
15. Inspect left front side of tractor
16. Inspect left saddle tank area
17. Inspect trailer front
18. Inspect left rear tractor area
19. Inspect left side of frailer
20. Inspect left rear trailer wheels
21. Inspect rear of trailer
22. Inspect double, triple, and full trailers
23. Inspect right rear trailer wheels
24. Inspect right side of trailer
25. Inspect right rear tractor area
26. Inspect right saddle tank area
27. Inspect right front side of tractor
28. Inspect steering axle(s)
29. Inspect axle(s) 2 and/or 3 (under carriage of CMV)
30. Inspect axle(s) 4 and/or 5
31. Check brake adjustment
32. Inspect tractor protection system (this procedure tests both the tractor protection system and the emergency brakes)
33. Inspect required brake system warning devices
34. Test air loss rate
35. Check steering wheel lash
36. Check fifth wheel movement
37. Complete the inspection

Since its inception in 1988, roadside inspections conducted this event have numbered more than 1.4 million. So far, the event has saved over 300 lives and approximately 5,000 injuries have been avoided. Professional drivers face a lot of stress and pressure each day just trying to do their job. Maneuvering through congested highways with cars on the road that do not have the knowledge or oftentimes patience it takes to share the road with a commercial vehicle; it may make drivers want to gamble a bit by taking unnecessary risks. However, a driver’s risk goes up exponentially for each violation they receive. So, make sure you are ready for this year’s Roadcheck next Tuesday to Thursday; remember, being put out of service due to violations costs an average of $861!

For more info on Roadcheck 2076, visit the CVSA’s website.