CVSA has released the Roadcheck 2020 results from last September’s roadside inspection on commercial motor vehicles and drivers. During the three-day enforcement initiative, the CVSA-certified inspectors conducted 50.151 North American Standard (NAS) Inspections; across Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
This year’s focus
The cue for inspectors, this year, was to perform the 37-step North American Standard Level I Inspection, which evaluates both the vehicle and the driver. However, according to the CVSA website:
Level II Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection, Level III Driver/Credential/Administrative Inspection, and Level V Vehicle-Only Inspection were also acceptable.
As expected, the International Roadcheck 2020 results include all the aforementioned procedures.
Driver requirements
Each year, the CVSA focuses on the inspection of a certain category of violations; and so, this year’s special emphasis was on the driver requirements of a roadside inspection. Commercial vehicles inspected for the extrapolation of the Roadcheck 2020 results included:
- large trucks/combinations,
- cargo tanks/combinations,
- Hazmat,
- non-Ηazmat cargo tanks/combinations and,
- passenger carrier vehicles.
What happens in case violations are spotted? The CVSA is very clear on this:
If an inspector identifies critical vehicle inspection item out-of-service violations using the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, which outlines such conditions, he or she will render the vehicle out of service, which means the identified out-of-service violations must be corrected before the vehicle will be permitted to proceed.
Through the publication of the Roadcheck 2020 results, CVSA aims not only to raise awareness on road safety; also, to educate both the industry and the general public on the importance of correct commercial vehicle operation and driver safety.
Roadcheck 2020 results for motor vehicle violations
The out-of-service (OOS) vehicle violations found in Mexico, Canada, and the United States were 12,254 in total. Specifically, the violation categories checked for the vehicle and cargo safety conditions were:
- Brake system
- Tires
- Lights
- Brake Adjustment
- Cargo Securement
To highlight, the category “Brake System” was the most recorded violation for both the U.S. and Canada; for Mexico, respectively, it was the “Lights” violation category.
The inspectors also checked hazardous materials/dangerous goods, as part of the Level I or Level II Inspections; where they, in fact, found such materials/goods. The total number of dangerous goods out-of-service (DG OOS) violations in the U.S. was 173, and 29 in Canada.
Roadcheck 2020 results for driver violations
Since this year’s focus for the International Roadcheck was on the driver requirements category of a roadside inspection, as anticipated, the inspectors had ‘a field day’ with the commercial vehicle drivers.
At a glance, the inspection criteria regarding out-of-service violations for commercial drivers were:
- The age
- The commercial driver’s license or operator’s/chauffeur’s license/permit (wrong class or suspended license)
- The record of duty status (false logs)
- Medical/physical requirements
- Fatigue (hours of service)
- Cell phone use (along with other moving violations)
- Intoxicating beverages, drugs, and other substances (DUI).
The Roadcheck 2020 results revealed a total of 3,247 driver out-of-service violations. The top driver out-of-service violation category was for ‘hours of service’; which accounted for 34.7% of all driver violations. Also, the inspectors checked for safety belt usage, where they issued 768 seatbelt violations in total: 7 in Canada, 8 in Mexico, and 753 in the U.S.
Road safety: The importance of fleet vehicle maintenance and driver behavior
The International Roadcheck 2020 results have clearly shown that keeping fleet vehicles well-maintained is critical for road safety; but, most importantly, they’ve pointed out the importance of safe driving behavior.
As a fleet owner or fleet manager, you have the power to prevent undesirable situations, before they become costly problems. And how are you going to do that? First and foremost, having a good vehicle management system in place. With the help of Telematics, not only will you keep maintenance costs low; you’ll also keep your drivers safe on the road.
Since the next International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 4-6, 2021, you still have a chance to make a difference. By optimizing your fleet business, there’s no doubt, you’ll be promoting road safety as well!
