The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) annual Roadcheck DOT blitz takes place May 16 – 18, 2023.
What is Roadcheck DOT Blitz?
Over a 72-hour period, commercial motor vehicle inspectors in jurisdictions throughout North America will conduct inspections of commercial motor vehicles and their drivers. Approximately 17 Roadside Inspections will be initiated every minute during this 72-hour period across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Each year tens of thousands of inspections are conducted.
What kind of inspections will be performed?
The CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct examinations of commercial vehicles at both weigh stations and roadside.
What is the focus area this year?
This year the focus areas are anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and cargo securement. The most common violations last year included both ABS and cargo with more than 12,000 vehicles receiving out of service notices from FMCSA for these and other violations. However, this year vehicles that are found with ABS violations will not be eligible to be placed out of service.
What can you do?
Be prepared. If you’re a small fleet Motor Carrier, your chances of inspection are obviously multiplied by your number of trucks.
Check each truck’s paperwork before allowing your driver to enter the roadway. Perform your pre-trip inspections with greater attention to your cargo securement. Tell your drivers to be respectful to roadside enforcement. Also, unless exempted from the ELD mandate, be ELD aware – including ELD User’s Manual, ELD malfunction procedures, Instruction sheet for transferring HOS records to inspection officials, and a supply of blank paper logs.
What to do after a Roadside Inspection?
Submit a copy of the Roadside Inspection Report to a company official. Review the violations carefully. Immediately address the violations noted on the inspection report. Remember to sign the report within 15 days to certify all violations have been corrected, and return it to the address on the inspection report. Remember to retain a copy ofthe inspection report for 12 months following the date of inspection.
Don’t agree with the Roadside Violation?
Do not argue with the Roadside Officer during the inspection. Carefully review the regulations, interpretations, and any guidance available regarding the violation. If you feel the roadside violation you received is in error then explore the DataQ option.
