Summer Means Roadcheck 2017 – Are You Ready?
With Memorial Day behind us and school out of session, the realization is hitting that SUMMER IS UPON US!
Now that means different things for different people, but one thing is true for ALL of us: we’re going to encounter more drivers on the road. Summer holidays, Summer vacations, teens with freedom – these things all mean more traffic.
With the hustle and bustle of still trying to maintain on-time deliveries while sharing the road with more motorists, it’s easy to lose sight of things. That’s why we wanted to take a moment to remind Fleet Managers and drivers alike of a very important topic that’s just around the corner, Roadcheck 2017. The annual commercial vehicle inspection push is just about a month away. NOW is the time to make sure your ducks are in a row.
Roadcheck 2017 is June 6th-8th
June 6th -8th DOT Inspectors will be conducting numerous roadside inspections and many CDL drivers are not going to be prepared. The CVSA Annual Roadcheck is a 72-hour event in which nearly 17 vehicles are inspected every minute. Odds are, it might be one of yours.
Although inspectors primarily conduct level-1 inspections, each year CVSA puts extra emphasis on specific aspects to raise awareness. This year, the special focus will be on cargo securement. That’s right, CVSA is going to highlight it this year as a reminder of its importance to highway safety.
Roadside inspectors will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level-1 inspection. This is a 37-step procedure which includes driver inspection and vehicle fitness. It is generally considered to be the most thorough inspection.
During the inspection, drivers may have to provide following: driving license, Hours-of-Service documentation, shipping documentation, motor carrier registration, medical examiner’s certificate, hazardous material paperwork
Additionally, inspectors will be checking things such as: tires, brakes, lights, fuel systems, frames, windshield wipers, wheels and much more.
And of course with the added emphasis on cargo securement, the primary focus will be on failure to secure equipment, damaged tie-downs, insufficient tie-downs and loose-tie downs.
How to Prepare for Roadcheck 2017
Start with organization and cleanliness. Appearance matters when pulled over for an inspection. If the driver can easily produce the necessary paperwork and answers, it makes things much easier for everyone.
Get the necessary maintenance done now! A well-maintained truck is going to perform better during any inspection and it’ll also result in a happier driver. If a driver is focused on the things he/she can control but knows the truck is lacking in the maintenance department, an inspection could be incredibly frustrating for everyone involved. Take advantage of things like Dickinson Fleet’s mobile maintenance and repair service to get this maintenance done with little to no downtime.
Educate your drivers on what to expect. As cargo securement is going to be the highlight from June 6 to June 8, it is a good idea to go through the regulations once again. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) outlines the U.S. cargo securement rules.
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