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:
- Level I Inspection: This 37-step procedure includes an examination of driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness.
- Level II Inspection: Inspecting everything without physically getting under the vehicle.
- 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.
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.