The International Roadcheck, scheduled for May 14-16 this year, arrives a few days earlier on the calendar compared to its timing in 2023. This event, orchestrated by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), is renowned for its heightened police presence targeting commercial motor vehicle inspection and regulatory compliance across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Each year, Roadcheck centers its inspections on specific areas of concern. In the upcoming event, tractor protection systems and adherence to regulations regarding alcohol and controlled substances will be under the spotlight. Tractor protection systems, encompassing valves such as the tractor protection valve, trailer supply valve, and anti-bleed back valve, are highlighted this year due to their potential oversight during routine inspections.
CVSA notes a concerning trend in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, indicating a rise in drivers with failed tests. Consequently, this year’s Roadcheck aims to underscore the importance for motor carriers to implement and rigorously enforce policies preventing substance and alcohol usage within the workplace.
The standard inspection protocol, a meticulous 37-point procedure detailed on CVSA’s website, is employed during Roadcheck. In the previous year’s event, spanning 72 hours, law enforcement conducted 59,429 inspections, with 36,021 vehicles subjected to the comprehensive 37-point check.
During the 2023 Roadcheck held from May 16-18, brake system violations accounted for the highest number of out-of-service (OOS) orders, leading to the sidelining of 4,412 vehicles, representing 25.2% of all OOS violations. Among driver violations resulting in an OOS order, hours-of-service violations topped the list, with 2,169 drivers sidelined, constituting 41.1% of all driver-related OOS declarations.
