CVSA Announces 2021 International Roadcheck Focus
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) recently announced that this year’s International Roadcheck has been scheduled for May 4-6, 2021. The International Roadcheck is an annual, three-day enforcement initiative that emphasizes the importance of commercial motor vehicle and driver safety through a blitz of high-visibility roadside inspections across North America.
Inspectors will ensure the vehicle’s brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, driver’s seat, exhaust systems, frames, fuel systems, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, van and open-top trailer bodies, wheels, rims, hubs and windshield wipers are compliant with regulations. Inspections of motorcoaches, passenger vans and other passenger-carrying vehicles also include emergency exits, electrical cables and systems in the engine and battery compartments, and seating.
During the event, an influx of CVSA-certified professionals take to the roads to conduct the following North American Standard (NAS) inspections on vehicles:
- Level I inspections consist of 37 steps, including an examination of commercial vehicles‘ mechanical fitness and of drivers’ operating requirements. This is the most common type of inspection during the event.
- Level II inspections generally include everything that can be checked without getting physically under the vehicle.
- Level III inspections include a review of driver requirements, such as a commercial driver’s license, vehicle documentation, cargo, record of duty status and other requirements.
- Level V inspections are equivalent to the Level I NAS inspection, except for the drivers are not present. These normally occur after an incident or arrest.
The CVSA also establishes a specific emphasis each year for inspections. Last year’s focus was on driver requirements, while this year’s will be on lighting and hours of service (HOS) compliance. According to the CVSA, this year’s focus was selected based on results from the 2020 International Roadcheck. Lighting was one of the most common types of out-of-service vehicle violations last year, accounting for over 10% of total vehicle violations. HOS compliance was the top type of out-of-service driver violation last year, contributing to approximately one-third of overall driver violations.
Per this year’s emphasis, each inspection will ensure that vehicles’ lighting devices are fully operable and in adequate condition. In addition, these inspections will include a review of drivers’ documentation regarding their time spent behind the wheel and rest periods to confirm HOS compliance.
In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the CVSA emphasized that all inspections will be conducted with proper health and safety protocols in place. Further, vehicles containing COVID-19 vaccine shipments will not be stopped for inspections unless a serious violation or imminent hazard is detected.
During the 2020 International Roadcheck, inspectors conducted 50,151 inspections on commercial motor vehicles throughout North America, with 12,254 vehicles being removed from the road and 3,247 drivers being placed out of service due to violations.
