Roadside inspections are among the most crucial parts of the trucking industry. The inspections ensure truck drivers comply with the laws and operate safely while traveling; from ensuring tires and lights are roadworthy to checking log books and FMCSA compliance with up-to-date MCS-150 forms (click here for more). Ensure that you are always prepared for a possible road check whenever you get on the road.
This program has always aimed at reducing the chances of track crashes by alerting drivers and the industry about unsafe vehicles on the road. If you are looking for a trusted intermodal company, try MX Solutions. We are committed to getting optimal solutions to ensure your freight gets to its destination. Read on to prepare for the international road check.
What is International Road Check
It is an inspection blitz conducted by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance in conjunction with Transport Canada, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration of the US, and Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation.
An inspection is a 72-hour event that consists of high-volume and high-visibility commercial motor vehicles following the CVSA. Throughout North America in 2022, the RoadCheck took place from Tuesday, the 17th of May, to Thursday, the 19th of May.
According to the safety officials, when the road check program raises the track inspection profiles, the truck drivers ensure they consistently keep the existing safety standards throughout the year. Commercial motor vehicle inspectors scrutinize large trucks and motor coaches and the drivers’ credentials and documentation during this activity.
As documented on the CVSA website, inspectors examine the trucks to identify critical out-of-service violations. If the violations are found, the inspectors will restrict the vehicle or its driver from traveling until they are addressed. Read on to learn more about the international road check.
What is the Focus area for International Road Check
The main focus of the CVSA international road check is the fleet’s wheel ends. CVSA identifies wheel ends as the top ten violation history, accounting for almost a quarter of the out-of-service violations in the last international Road checks. Here is part of what inspectors check for:
- Bent, broken, or cracked rims on the outside or the inside wheel rims
- Lubricant leaks, missing caps or plugs
- Cracks or unseated lock rings
- Inner wheel seal leaks
- Loose, broken, missing, or damaged wheel fasteners and elongated stud holes
- Tire and the depth of the valve system tread groove
- Tire contact with any part of the vehicle
- Markings on a tire
- Debris between tires
- Exposed fabric code
- Improper repairs like tire plugs
- Regrooved tires on the steering axle
What Happens if an Inspector Places my Truck or Driver Out of Service
In an inspector blitz, drivers and trucks being placed out of service can be expected. The statistics below prove how common it is for that to happen.
- In 2020, 3072 drivers and 10676 vehicles in the US were placed out of service.
- In 2021, 2077 drivers and 8293 vehicles in the US were placed out of service.
Unfortunately, you can only make money if your trucks are on the move. When an inspector places you out of service, your business loses out on revenue in thousands of dollars. Also, the driver gets affected as he cannot get back on the road before the truck issues are cleared.
It costs you a lot of money to pay for expensive emergency repairs to clear your truck as soon as possible. It is best to avoid losing so much money by ensuring your trucks are well-maintained before they head out on the road.
The Violations you should look out for During International Road check
During the inspection blitz, CVSA’s focus area is essential. However, it is also crucial that you focus the drivers’ attention on hours of service violations. The reason is, historically, HOS reasons are the ones that have been the leading cause resulting in being put out of service when there is an international road check. Below are the common violations that make truckers get placed out of service.
- False logs
- Suspended license
- Wrong class license
- Brake systems
- Lights
- Tires
- Brake adjustment
- Cargo securement
The importance of Proactive maintenance in keeping the Fleets Inspection Ready
Ensuring you embrace preventive maintenance can help prepare your vehicle for any upcoming inspection event. When you have installed GPS fleet tracking technology, it has asset tracking. It provides instant mileage reporting, advanced engine diagnosis, and vehicle service alerts regarding the hours worked, distance traveled, or predetermined dates.
The technology can help you form proactive maintenance plans, resulting in you only paying for the necessary repairs when they are small before they become more prominent. At that, you will be keeping your vehicle in its best possible shape.
THE FUTURE OF THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY