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2/13/2009 - Are Your Drivers Ready for a Roadside Inspection? The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced that Roadcheck 2009, the annual Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) safety blitz, will be held June 2–4. It’s important to make sure that your vehicles and drivers are ready for this annual event — each year inspectors hand out countless citations and out-of-service orders. To get motor carriers and drivers Roadcheck ready, Foley Services is offering What to Expect During a Roadside Inspection at a special Roadcheck 2009 rate of $9.95. The 19-page, illustrated guide, which is regularly priced at $19, has been deeply discounted to make it easier for motor carriers to provide a copy to each of their drivers. Drivers who use this easy-to-read guide are better prepared for safety blitzes like Roadcheck as well as the unexpected inspection around the next corner. The guide discusses the inspection process in great detail, calls attention to common driver and vehicle violations, and offers road-tested advice for surviving a roadside inspection. What to Expect During a Roadside Inspection may also help improve the overall safety of your fleet. Remember, inspections are designed to ensure the safety of CMV operators and the general public. During inspections, inspectors are checking to make sure that drivers are following the safety regulations and that their vehicles are free of defects that could cause an accident or serious breakdown. As drivers become more aware of the inspection process and possible penalties, they are likely to pay more attention to the safety regulations and the safe operation of their vehicles. Safety needs to be a top concern for drivers every time they hop in their CMVs. Though much attention is given to Roadcheck, the roadside inspections conducted during the three-day event account for less than 2% of the approximately 3.5 million inspections conducted each year. As any experienced driver will tell you, a roadside inspection is always hanging over your head. Most Inspections Uncover Violations Nearly 70% of all roadside inspections uncover one or more violation. Some violations require drivers and/or their vehicles to be placed out-of-service. In these situations, the violation(s) or defect(s) must be corrected before the driver or vehicle can continue operating. Each year, approximately 7% of drivers and 23% of vehicles are placed out-of-service in accordance with the North America Uniform Out-of-Service Criteria. Drivers are most frequently placed out-of-service for Hours of Service violations. Meanwhile, vehicles are often placed out-of-service for brake-related defects, lighting deficiencies and cargo securement violations. During Roadcheck 2008, 67,931 trucks and buses were inspected at 1,683 locations across North America. Approximately 77% of those roadside checks were Level I inspections: the most comprehensive type of inspection. Overall, 20.8% of vehicles and 5.3% of drivers were placed out-of-service during the 72 hours of inspections. Know What to Expect Think of the roadside inspection as a “pop quiz” for motor carriers. You know it is going to happen, but you are not sure when or how extensive it will be. The best strategy is to always be prepared for the most difficult and comprehensive exam that the inspector may present. For motor carriers and drivers, that means being ready for a Level I inspection each and every time you hit the road. A Level I inspection is a 37-step process that takes up to an hour to complete. During this type of inspection, officials check for compliance with both vehicle and driver safety regulations. Level I inspections focus on several areas, including alcohol and drug use, log books, brake systems, safe loading and lighting devices. A step-by-step review of the Level I inspection process is included in What to Expect During a Roadside Inspection. Other key topics covered in the guide include:
Click here to order What to Expect During a Roadside Inspection. Use Coupon Code RC2009 to get the Roadcheck 2009 rate of $9.95 — a significant discount off the $19 cover price. This limited offer expires May 31. For more information, please call 1-800-253-5506, ext. 707.
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