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!!!

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?

Alert: Roadcheck 2010 to be held June 8, 2010

Roadcheck is known as the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial vehicles in the world, with an estimated 14 trucks or buses being inspected every minute from Canada to Mexico during the designated 72 hour period.

Who and When?

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance will hold Roadcheck 2010 on June 8th throughout Canada, the United States, and Mexico. It will be the 23rd international truck and bus safety event of its kind. Each year, approximately 1,500 locations across North America are sites for truck and bus inspections where some 10,000 CVSA-certified local, state, and provincial inspectors look for safety violations. These inspections are held in cooperation with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico.

Why?

Like past events, this year's Roadcheck will focus on commercial vehicle and driver safety and security, and is very closely aligned with the upcoming efforts regarding the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's CSA 2010, which will monitor individual drivers and carrier companies for Compliance, Safety, and Accountability. Please refer to our previous blog post for more information related to CSA 2010.

These Roadcheck Inspections have been occurring since 1998; the more than 1 million inspections that have been performed to date have been estimated to have saved more that 220 lives and avoided more than 4,045 injuries, according to CVSA. In addition, numerous pieces of educational literature have also been distributed during Roadcheck.

What do Carriers need to do?

All Drivers need to make sure that their logbooks are current and that their equipment is properly maintained with no violations; CVSA will be out in full force and will be checking both!!!

Roadcheck 2010 is a preview of what will come with CSA starting in 2011, so be ready!!