2022-05-12
Roadcheck 2022 to focus on wheel ends (May 17 to May 19)

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has set the dates for its 2022 International Roadcheck, the 72-hour blitz of commercial vehicle inspections across North America. From May 17 to May 19, law enforcement officers will focus on wheel ends.

The results of Roadcheck in 2021 showed that brake systems took the top spot for violations in North America, accounting for 26.5% of all truck out-of-service conditions. Brake adjustments rated as the fourth highest violation last year, accounting for 12.4% of all violations.  

Wheel-end components—specifically brakes and slack adjusters, support the heavy loads carried by commercial motor vehicles, maintain stability and control, and are critical for braking. 

According to CVSA, violations involving wheel-end components historically account for about one quarter of the vehicle out-of-service violations discovered during Roadcheck, and past data from the annual inspection blitz routinely identified wheel-end components as a top 10 violation.

Wheel-end compliance exercises will include the observance and assessment of a semi-truck and trailers wheel-related maintenance/health. To pass inspection, all wheels must be in full working order, in accordance with the conditions outlined by the FMCSA

The wheel-related assembly regulations that will be checked for this year include:

  • Wheels and rims cannot be broken or cracked.
  • Stud and/or bolt holes cannot be “elongated” (no longer round).
  • Bolts and nuts cannot be “loose.” 
  • Tread depth on a tractors steer tires must be no less than 4/32 inches.
  • Tread depth on all remaining tires must be no less than 2/32 inches.

Note: even though wheel-end maintenance and condition(s) are the primary focus of 2022s Roadcheck, issues in this arena often prompt further vehicle inspections to be conducted at the discretion of law enforcement.

As such, in addition to the inspection of wheel-end components, drivers should also expect to be assessed on general equipment maintenance like:

  • Lights
  • Braking systems
  • Load securement
  • Hours of service (HOS) logs
  • Permits (where applicable) 

Needless to say, all truck drivers will want to ensure their trucks and trailers are fully compliant with all safety regulations over this three-day period. 

However, this is easier said than done; even if a driver leaves their starting point with wheels in perfect condition, it is impossible to guarantee that damage would not occur during transit

This simple fact leaves truck drivers far less motivated to move freight during “blitz” week. 

What Happens If a Driver is Non-Compliant?

During these Roadchecks, if a truck driver is found to violate any of the regulatory mandates they are being audited for, three actions will be taken

First, the driver and the freight they are hauling must immediately halt their progress until each discrepancy is amended. If they are missing bolts or a hubcap, they will need to get those things fixed. If they are discovered to be in violation of HOS regulations, they will need to rest until their “clock” resets. 

As you might imagine, the prolonged delays caused by non-compliant carriers over “blitz week” can be harmful to the schedules of trucking companies and shippers/consignees alike. 

The second thing that happens once a driver is found to violate one commercial motor carrier mandate is an immediate examination for further violations. In the trucking industry, an industry that must maintain safety standards, unsafe practices do not go unchecked. As such, a single violation — be it a set of loose bolts or otherwise — may be an indicator of deeper issues with the health of a vehicle and/or the safety practices of a carrier. 

The third thing that happens to drivers who are found to be in violation following a road check (which can happen anywhere) is perhaps most impactful

You see, drivers that are found to be non-compliant are given an out-of-service (OOS) violation. OOS violations directly impact each motor carriers compliance, safety, accountability (CSA) scores — a scale indicating their overall safety “rating.” 

Truck drivers are each given individualized CSA scores. Any violations they incur — and the points associated with them — remain on a drivers CSA scorecard for three years, affecting their reputation all the while. 

Failing an International Roadcheck and receiving an OOS violation is a two-point violation for that driver.

In case you need help in maintaining your companies safety and Compliance please reach us out at info@welocity.ca or call us 905-901-1601.

 

 

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