2016 Intl. Roadcheck will stress tire safety

GREENBELT, Md. (April 15, 2016) —  The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CFSA) will put special emphasis on tire safety this year during its annual International Roadcheck, set for June 7-9 throughout North America.

International Roadcheck is a 72-hour period when approximately 10,000 CVSA-certified local, state, provincial, territorial and federal inspectors in jurisdictions across North America perform large truck and bus safety inspections.

This is the 29th annual edition of what the CVSA calls the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 17 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico during a 72-hour period.

Each year, International Roadcheck places special emphasis on a category of violations, and this year it's tire safety, the CVSA said, comprising tread depth, tire pressure, checking to make sure that no items are lodged between dual tires and examining the overall condition of the tire to make sure there are no deep cuts or bulges on the sidewalls.

While checking a vehicle's tires is always part of roadside inspections, the CVSA said it is highlighting tire safety as a reminder to drivers and carriers.

During International Roadcheck, inspectors primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection, which is the most thorough roadside inspection, according to the CVSA. This 37-step procedure includes an examination of both the driver and vehicle.

Drivers are required to provide items such as their license, endorsements, medical card and hours-of-service documentation, and may be checked for seat belt usage and the use of alcohol and/or drugs.

The vehicle inspection includes checking items such as the braking system, securement of cargo, coupling devices, exhaust system, frame, fuel system, lights, steering mechanism, driveline/driveshaft, suspension, tires, van and open-top trailer bodies, wheels and rims, windshield wipers, and emergency exits on buses.

International Roadcheck is organized in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (Mexico).

Since its inception in 1988, the initiative has resulted in more than 1.4 million roadside inspections, the CVSA said.

The CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprising local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The group's mission is to “promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers.”