Each year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) holds numerous events throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico intended to improve highway safety by cracking down on vehicle and driver violations.
International Roadcheck, set for May 16-18 this year, is an annual three-day event when CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement, and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle, and driver safety.
International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world—with nearly 15 trucks and motorcoaches inspected, on average, every minute across North America during a 72-hour period.
In 2022, CVSA-certified inspectors conducted 59,026 inspections and placed 12,456 commercial motor vehicles and 3,714 commercial motor vehicle drivers out of service, according to CVSA.
A commercial motor vehicle is placed out of service when an inspector finds critical vehicle inspection item out-of-service violations, which are outlined in CVSA’s North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, during a roadside inspection.
Being placed out of service means the driver or vehicle is prohibited from operation for a specified period of time or until the violation is corrected.
Reducing Risk
This year, inspectors will focus on anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and cargo securement. Although ABS violations are not out-of-service violations, ABS play a critical role in reducing the risk of collisions by preventing the wheels from locking up or skidding, allowing a driver to maintain control of the vehicle while braking. Additionally, improper cargo securement poses a serious risk to drivers and other motorists by adversely affecting the vehicle’s maneuverability, or worse, causing unsecured loads to fall, resulting in traffic hazards and vehicle collisions.
During International Roadcheck, inspectors in Canada and the U.S. primarily conduct the Level I Inspection—a comprehensive 37-step process that involves thorough inspection of the vehicle (including underneath) and the driver’s operating credentials.
- Of the 36,555 Level I Inspections conducted in Canada and the U.S. in 2022, 23.7% of the vehicles inspected (8,672) were placed out of service, and 6.1% (2,242) of drivers were placed out of service.
- In the U.S., of the 33,196 Level I Inspections that were conducted, 7,912 commercial motor vehicles (23.8%) and 2,051 drivers (6.2%) were placed out of service.
- In Canada, of the 3,359 Level I Inspections conducted, 760 commercial motor vehicles (22.6%) and 191 (5.7%) drivers were placed out of service.
In 2022, inspectors in Mexico conducted 1,150 Level V Inspections, which includes each of the vehicle inspection items specified under the North American Standard Level I Inspection and may be conducted without a driver present, at any location. Thirty-six commercial motor vehicles were placed out of service—a 3.1% out-of-service rate.
Opportunity to Educate
Vehicles that successfully pass a Level I or Level V Inspection without any critical vehicle inspection item violations may receive a CVSA decal, which is valid for three months. If the inspector does identify critical vehicle inspection item violations, as outlined in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, the vehicle will be restricted from operating until the identified out-of-service conditions have been corrected. Inspectors may also restrict the driver from operating if the driver is found to have driver out-of-service violations, such as not possessing a valid or necessary operating license or exhibiting signs of impairment.
CVSA’s law enforcement member jurisdictions in cities, states, districts, provinces, and territories in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. participate in International Roadcheck with support from trucking associations, transportation safety organizations, and federal agencies, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Transport Canada, and Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation.
Since its inception in 1988, more than 1.8 million roadside inspections have been conducted during International Roadcheck. The event also provides an opportunity to educate industry and the general public about the importance of safe commercial motor vehicle operations and the roadside inspection program.
