Roadside Blitz Results

Roadside Blitz Results

The results for the Roadside Blitz held on June 4-6, 2019 are in and they are not great. Out of 67,072 commercial vehicles inspected in U.S. and Canada, 12,019 vehicles (17.9%) were removed from roadways due to critical violations and 2,784 drivers (4.2%) were placed out-of-service for driver-related issues.

During International Roadcheck, North American Standard (NAS) Level Inspections one through three are typically done by inspectors:

  1. Level I Inspection: This 37-step procedure includes an examination of driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness.
  2. Level II Inspection: Inspecting everything without physically getting under the vehicle.
  3. Level III Inspection: Review of driver requirements, such as the license, additional operating credentials, applicable cargo and vehicle documentation, record of duty status, seat belt usage, etc.
Roadside Blitz Results
ND Highway Patrol conducts random truck weighing at the Apple Creek Rest Area on I94 east of Bismarck.

Steering and Suspension

Each year special emphasis is placed on a certain category of violations. This year’s focus was on steering and suspension systems. During this year’s International Roadcheck, inspectors identified 408 steering violations (2.5%) and 703 suspension (4.3%) out-of-service vehicle conditions.

Seatbelts

The seatbelt usage rate for drivers of medium-and heavy-duty trucks and motorcoaches was 86% in 2016. This year, inspectors discovered only 748 seatbelt violations.

The top violation for vehicles:

  Vehicle Violation Category # of Violations OOS%
1 Braking System 4,578 28%
2 Tires and Wheels 3,156 19.3%
3 Brake Adjustment 2,801 17.1%
4 Cargo Securement 1,991 12.2%
5 Lighting Devices 1,875 11.5%
6 Suspensions 703 4.3%
7 Steering Mechanisms 408 2.5%
8 Other 401 2.5%
9 Frames 170 1%
10 Coupling Devices 124 0.8%
11 Driveline/Driveshaft 61 0.4%
12 Fuel Systems 44 0.3%
13 Exhaust Systems 35 0.2%

Top violations for drivers:

  Driver Violation Category # of Violations OOS%
1 Hours of Service 1,179 37.2%
2 Wrong Class License 714 22.5%
3 False Logs 467 14.7%
4 Other 351 11.1%
5 Suspended License 232 7.3%
6 Drugs/Alcohol 99 3.1%
7 Expired License 94 3%
8 Violating License Restriction 37 1.2%

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) said 3,851 commercial motor vehicles transporting hazardous materials/dangerous goods (HM/DG) were inspected and 527 vehicles (13.7%) had out-of-service conditions. There were 52 HM/DG drivers (1.4%) placed out-of-service.

HM/DG Violations:

  HM/DG Violation Category # of Violations OOS%
1 Loading 73 29.9%
2 Shipping Papers 61 25%
3 Placarding 46 18.9%
4 Markings 31 12.7%
5 Bulk Packaging 15 6.1%
6 Package Integrity 12 4.9%
7 Other 6 2.5%

Motorcoach Results

In addition to the standard critical vehicle inspection items, motorcoach inspectors also check emergency exits, electrical cables and systems in engine and battery compartments, and temporary and aisle seating. Of the 823 motorcoaches inspected, 47 (5.7%) were placed out of service and 21 drivers (2.6%) had out-of-service conditions.

Out-of-service orders and the number, type, and severity of safety violations affect a motor carrier’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores and its Safety Fitness Determination (SFD) rating. CSA is FMCSA’s safety compliance and enforcement program designed to improve safety and prevent commercial motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities by holding motor carriers and drivers accountable for their role in safety.

Let us help you stay in compliance with our Compliance Safety Manger software. Contact us 888-257-0124 for more information on ways you can save money and stay DOT Compliance.