What You Need to Know about International Roadcheck 2021

May 4-6, 2021

❓What is it?

International Roadcheck is a 72-hour event held annually by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) in an effort to collect data and raise awareness of the North American Standard Inspection Program and highway safety rules and regulations. During this time, certified commercial vehicle inspectors conducts random inspections on commercial vehicles and drivers in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. The inspections will be on several areas including, but not limited to, driver’s hours of service, vehicle brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, seats, tires, wheels, rims, exhaust systems, fuel systems, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, etc.

❓What’s the history?

According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), approximately 12.24% inspected vehicles had “inoperable lamps,” making it the top vehicle violation in 2020. The top driver violation in North America in 2020 was “hours of service,” accounting for 34.7% of all driver out-of-service conditions. Therefore, this year, the CVSA is focusing on lighting and hours of service. (Source: cvsa.org)

❓How do you prepare?

There’s a reason why the CVSA shares the dates of the inspections in advance, instead of allowing it to be a surprise. They want motor carriers and drivers to be reminded of the importance of vehicle maintenance and driver compliance. 

If you’re a carrier, it’s very important that you understand all the areas of inspection. Checklists can be found online: https://www.cvsa.org/inspections/inspection-procedures/.  Make sure all of your drivers understand what to be prepared for. It’s not a bad idea to keep trucks washed and cleaned. Don’t avoid staying off the roads, as these inspections help keep our roads safe. 

If you’re a shipper or receiver, the most important thing is your understanding. Trucks are randomly selected on the road and an inspection can take anywhere from minutes to hours. Additionally, some trucks may shut down due to certain violations. Pick-up and delivery delays may occur so it’s important to be flexible on appointments during this time. Furthermore, some carriers may decide not to operate in order to avoid the blitz all together. With less trucks on the road, this will cause the market to tighten and you may see a shift in transportation rates for a week. The best industry experts will stay on top of updates and provide advance notice of changes in the market prices. 

At FSL, we not only provide industry updates, we provide resources and solutions. We will provide guidance through International Roadcheck. We are here to do more than educate. We are here to help. Contact us today!