The Blitz is on!!!!!!

The CVSA annual Roadcheck safety blitz is happening this Tuesday June 7th to Thursday June 9th, 2011. Much of the focus of this year’s Roadcheck (similar to past years) will be enforcing HOS and logbook violations. One of the other primary reasons cited by inspectors for placing vehicles and drivers out of service is brakes.

Have some questions about Roadcheck? Read on to find the answers!

So, who is CVSA??
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is made up of local, state, provincial and federal motor-carrier safety officials and industry representatives in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The CVSA sponsors Roadcheck and counts on participation by the FMCSA, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (Mexico).

What typically happens during Roadcheck?
Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial vehicles in the world, with approximately 14 trucks or buses being inspected, on average, every minute from Canada to Mexico during the yearly 72 hour period. Each year, approximately 100,000 CVSA-certified local, state, provincial and federal inspectors at 1,500 locations across North America perform truck and bus inspections. As an example, in 2010, CMV enforcement conducted 65,327 inspections across the United States alone.

What should you, as a carrier, pay special attention to?
These areas should be maintained and in compliance YEAR ROUND, but here is typically what inspectors will be checking out for violations:
- Logbooks and HOS
- Brakes
- Coupling Devices
- Fuel & Exhaust Systems
- Frame, Van, & Open-Top Trailers – for cracks and corrosion
- Lighting
- Securement of Cargo
- Steering
- Suspension
- Tires, Wheels, Rims, & Hubs

Did you know, if you are put out of service, it will cost you an average of $861??? – and that doesn’t even include the costs of fines or repairs as a result of the inspection! Make sure you will pass inspections this year!!! For more information on Roadcheck 2011, visit the CVSA’s website!!!!

Do you have any personal experiences with Roadcheck? Ever had an inspection during this time? Please share!!!

Operation Safe Driver Week is Coming Up!

Alert: October 17-23 is Operation Safe Driver Week!!

The mission of Operation Safe Driver week throughout North America is to improve commercial and non-commercial driver behaviour and performance through effective enforcement, education and awareness strategies.

Why? Improving highway safety for commercial vehicle operations starts with the driver. Highway crashes related to large trucks account for 12% of total crashes with fatalities. Focusing more attention on commercial and non-commercial operators will save lives.

The objectives of the program are as follows:

• Increase commercial vehicle traffic enforcement activity.
• Increase safety belt enforcement activity.
• Increase driver regulatory compliance.
• Increase driver roadside inspections.
• Implement commercial driver educational and awareness programs to the motor carrier population.
• Increase the non-commercial vehicle traffic enforcement activity.
• Increase the awareness to the motoring public about safe operations around commercial motor vehicles.

The strategies that will be used are:

• Selective Traffic Enforcement Program: High crash corridors with high CMV traffic and concentration on moving violations, driver infractions and aggressive behaviors on ALL drivers.
• Remove unsafe and fatigued commercial drivers from the highways.
• Take enforcement action against commercial drivers who fail to buckle up.
• Focus on unique and innovative approaches such as TACT, project ADVANCE, Smooth Operator
• Implement commercial driver-focused enforcement and education strategies which are based on performance data.
• Educate commercial vehicle drivers and others about the importance of safe driving and of proper driver techniques.
• Raise awareness of the motoring public about the hazards of operating around commercial vehicles and of proper steps they can take to enhance safe operations.
• Educate government, industry and the public about the important role roadside enforcement plays in saving lives on North America's highways and helping to provide a safe and secure place to travel.

So, remember to mark your calendars, be safe, and be aware!!!!

CVSA Brake Safety Week is September 12-18th, 2010!!

Alert: The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) annual Brake Safety Week begins this Sunday, September 12th, 2010. The program will run until Saturday, September 18th, 2010. Any drivers who haven't checked their brakes in a while might want to do so this week in preparation for the kick-off of this program. Below is a run down of the program and answers to some commonly asked questions.

What is the purpose of the program?

CVSA's annual Brake Safety Week is a part of the Operation Air Brake campaign. The campaign started because out of adjustment air brakes and brake system defects on commercial vehicles constitute a major defect that results in vehicles being placed out of service. The program runs throughout Canada, the United States, and Mexico. It's primary objective, like CSA 2010, is to reduce the number of highway crashes; the Brake Safety week program focuses on reducing the number of highway crashes caused by faulty brake systems.

How will the program work for the week of Sept 12-18, 2010?

Roadside inspections will be conducted by CVSA-certified inspectors, with a special emphasis being placed on the inspection of air brakes and braking systems. CVSA-certified inspectors will also increase their presence at truck stops and other locations where drivers and mechanics congregate. Their primary goal at these locations is to educate drivers and instruct them on the inspection procedure and the operation of braking systems. All Operation Air Brake Inspections are to be identified as a Level IV Inspection under CVSA.

What can drivers do to prepare for this program?

In just a few moments, drivers can easily adjust air brakes that are equipped with manual slack adjusters and check for other defects related to brakes. It is the opinion of many professionals in the industry that the primary reasons for drivers not adjusting their brakes is a lack of education, training, and not having the commitment to safety.

Drivers are strongly encouraged to take the few minutes it does take to adjust their braking systems, and also be open and welcoming to the training that is being offered during this week. Commitment to safety results in safer highways for all, and less commercial vehicles out of service.

For more information of the Operation Air Brake/Brake Safety Week, visit the CVSA website at: http://www.cvsa.org/programs/op_airbrake.aspx.

So, mark you calendars for next week and ask yourself, Have You Checked Your Brakes Today?