Carrier Out-of-Service Rates Lowest Ever Recorded During 3-day Annual Roadcheck

Results from the CVSA’s Roadcheck 2011 (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance), a three-day campaign to enforce current safety standards for motor carriers, yielded the lowest amount of out-of-service violations in the campaign’s 23-year history.

During Roadcheck 2011 (Sponsored together with CVSA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) approximately 16 trucks or buses were inspected, on average, every minute for the 72 hour campaign, from June 7-9. This totaled 70,712 inspections from 8,000 CVSA and FMCSA inspectors. Drivers were pulled over or directed into weigh stations or other inspection locations and asked to show their commercial driver’s license, medical examiner’s certificate and record of duty status. Brakes, tires, lights and every major safety component of the truck or bus, plus proper load securement were also examined during the campaign.

Results from Roadcheck 2011 show that overall vehicle/trailer compaliance to current safety standards was at 80.7 percent. (an increase from 80.0 percent in 2010). Driver compliance (hours of service, etc.) was at a rate of 95.8 percent (an increase from 95.6 percent in 2010). There were also 296 fewer safety belt violations for in 2011 compared to 2010.

According to the data, the safety programs at trucking companies are continuing to strengthen and play a more prominent role within the industry. This is not only a huge plus for the industry, but also a must to ensure the safety of fellow motorists.

What are your thoughts on the Campaign? Do you think it should be altered or changed in any way? How do you feel the safety aspect of the industry is performing?