CVSA Finds Record Drop In Number Of Non-Compliant Vehicles - Copy

As Stephen Keppler, CVSA’s executive director, noted, “This is a clear indication that enforcement and industry’s efforts during Roadcheck are having a positive impact. This goes to show that even in these difficult budgetary times for states, provinces and local agencies that each and every roadside inspection is important and makes a difference.”

 While there is room to celebrate, 20% of vehicles (or 1 in 5) inspected were still found to face hazardous safety violations. That percentage shows that while compliance is improving, more needs to be done by enforcement agencies to help monitor the fleet industry sufficiently.

 Roadcheck 2012 took place June this year, with an average of more than 1,000 trucks or buses inspected every hour during the 72-hour campaign. According to CVSA, the United States, Canada and Mexico participated with inspections occurring either at fixed or temporary inspection locations. Inspections included an examination of driver license and credentials, proper and complete records of duty status, safety belt use, driving behaviors and other driver safety conditions. Vehicles were examined for proper brake system maintenance, tire condition, function of lighting systems, properly secured loads, and other vehicle condition related violations.

 Ready for some good news? The results of the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Annual Roadcheck in June were pretty historic, to say the least. The alliance found the second fewest number of non-compliant vehicles and drivers in its 25-year history. Approximately 74,000 trucks and buses were inspected during CVSA’s annual vehicle safety event. What they found is incredible news for the fleet industry: maintenance, safety and operational compliance is truly working.

As Stephen Keppler, CVSA’s executive director, noted, “This is a clear indication that enforcement and industry’s efforts during Roadcheck are having a positive impact. This goes to show that even in these difficult budgetary times for states, provinces and local agencies that each and every roadside inspection is important and makes a difference.”

While there is room to celebrate, 20% of vehicles (or 1 in 5) inspected were still found to face hazardous safety violations. That percentage shows that while compliance is improving, more needs to be done by enforcement agencies to help monitor the fleet industry sufficiently.

Roadcheck 2012 took place June this year, with an average of more than 1,000 trucks or buses inspected every hour during the 72-hour campaign. According to CVSA, the United States, Canada and Mexico participated with inspections occurring either at fixed or temporary inspection locations. Inspections included an examination of driver license and credentials, proper and complete records of duty status, safety belt use, driving behaviors and other driver safety conditions. Vehicles were examined for proper brake system maintenance, tire condition, function of lighting systems, properly secured loads, and other vehicle condition related violations.

Inspections included 652 inspections of passenger-carrying vehicles and 4,826 inspections of vehicles carrying hazardous materials. Of passenger-carrying vehicles inspected, 8.6% of vehicles and 2.5% of drivers were placed out of service. Of vehicles carrying hazardous materials, 15.6% of vehicles and 2.3% of drivers were placed out of service. In addition, approximately 27,000 CVSA decals were issued during Roadcheck 2012 to vehicles that were found to be without violations in the critical inspection items.

As FMCSA administrator Anne S. Ferro noted about the event, “Once again Roadcheck effectively identifies and removes from the road truck and bus companies that cut corners at the expense of safety.”