Washington, D.C. — The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has finalized plans for its annual International Roadcheck, a 72-hour period of intense roadside scrutiny across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. During this three-day enforcement window, inspectors will focus heavily on two specific problem areas that consistently lead to out-of-service orders: lighting violations and Hours of Service (HOS) compliance.
Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) underscores why these areas are under the microscope. In fiscal year 2020, inoperable lamps accounted for roughly 12.24% of all vehicle violations, making it the most common vehicle-related issue on the road. On the driver side, HOS violations remain the leading cause for removal from service, representing 34.7% of all driver out-of-service conditions during the previous year's Roadcheck. Staying compliant with these FMCSA regulations is the only way to avoid a hit to your CSA score.
The CVSA has released a North American Standard Roadside Inspection Cheat Sheet to help drivers prepare for the upcoming event. Beyond lights and logs, inspectors will be auditing brakes, coupling devices, fuel systems, and cargo securement. Any mechanical fault, such as an audible air leak or a missing brake component, can result in an immediate grounding of the vehicle. Drivers should also inspect their steering lash, as the allowable play depends entirely on the diameter of the steering wheel.
What This Means for Drivers
Every CDL-A driver needs to conduct a thorough pre-trip inspection well before hitting the scale house. If your brake system shows signs of contamination or your slack adjusters are uneven, do not wait for an officer to find the issue. Owner-operators should verify that their fifth wheel is properly locked and that all safety chains on converter dollies are secure and capable of holding the load. Keeping your paperwork in order and your lights functional will save you hours of downtime during this enforcement surge.
Industry Reaction
The trucking industry maintains a contentious relationship with these blitz periods, but the consensus remains that preparation is the best defense against invasive inspections. While some carriers argue that these events create unnecessary bottlenecks in the supply chain, the CVSA maintains that the data-driven focus on lighting and HOS is necessary to improve highway safety. For the average OTR truck driver, the goal is simple: ensure the truck is legal before leaving the yard to keep the wheels turning without interruption.
Key Points
- Lighting violations accounted for over 12% of all vehicle violations in fiscal 2020.
- Hours of Service violations were the number one reason drivers were placed out of service last year.
- Inspectors will rigorously check for air leaks and ensure brake air pressure stays between 90-100 psi.
- Cargo securement, including end gates and tie-downs, remains a primary focus for flatbed and van trailers.
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