Lower rate of trucks, buses placed out of service at annual ‘Roadcheck’

Washington – The rates of commercial motor vehicles and drivers placed out of service during this year’s annual Roadcheck – a safety enforcement and outreach event – were slightly lower than in 2012, according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

CVSA-certified inspectors from local, state, provincial and federal traffic enforcement agencies evaluated 73,023 trucks and buses between June 4 and 6 at select locations throughout North America. Vehicles were inspected for violations such as braking system and tire maintenance status, and drivers were evaluated for behaviors such as safety belt use and meeting hours-of-service requirements.

According to a CVSA fact sheet, 20.6 percent of vehicles inspected were placed out of service, compared with 20.9 percent in 2012. Notably lower were cargo securement-related vehicle violations – a focus of this year’s event – accounting for 11.7 percent of all vehicle out-of-service violations in 2013 compared with 12.3 percent in 2012. Additionally, 4.2 percent of drivers were placed out of service, compared with 4.6 percent in 2012.