Prepare your drivers for CVSA safety campaigns
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program of commercial vehicles in the world, and the next campaign has been scheduled for May 17-19, 2022. During the 72-hour operation, approximately 15 trucks or buses will be inspected every minute in North America. With proper preparation and training, your drivers can successfully navigate the process violation-free and get back on the road.
Explain the process to drivers
Many drivers have never participated in a roadside inspection, so explain the roadside inspection process and the focus of the campaign. Also share the most common violations discovered during previous roadside inspections. This year’s campaign will focus on wheel ends. According to the CVSA, violations involving wheels, rims, hubs, and tires historically account for one quarter of the vehicle out-of-service violations. Emphasize the importance of pre-trip inspections and confirm that your drivers understand how to check these components, as well as the rest of the vehicle.
To ensure that drivers fully understand what is expected of them during a roadside inspection, consider conducting your own safety blitz. Stage a tractor and trailer in the yard with known defects and instruct your drivers to conduct mock pre-trips. This is a great opportunity for safety teams to educate drivers and prevent violations.
Understand the focus
With the 2022 International Roadcheck focus on the wheel ends, ensure your drivers focus on the following inspection points:
- Wheels and rims,
- Wheel fasteners (hub and log nuts),
- Wheel seals and leaks, and
- Tires (tread depth, condition, inflation, leaks, in contact with the vehicle, etc.).
Drivers should understand what inspectors will be looking for, so conducting a hands-on exercise will better prepare your drivers for the campaign.
Remember the basics
Even though this year’s campaign is focused on vehicles, specifically wheel ends, there are basic rules associated with roadside inspections. As a result, confirm that each tractor has a binder containing the required documents and that your drivers are carrying their credentials and keeping their hours-of-service records current.
Be courteous to inspectors
Officers do not have quotas for citations, but they do for inspections. Drivers approaching a roadside inspection with a good attitude and a clean cab are ahead of the curve. The officer has full discretion with issuing citations, so make your documents easy to inspect and always be cooperative.
Key to remember: Prepare for the International Roadcheck by conducting mock pre-trip inspections that educate your drivers and improve the safety metrics of your fleet.