2013 Road Check Results Provide a Snapshot of Trucking Safety Issues

By Thomas Greer | April 4, 2014

Every year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) conducts a three-day safety enforcement program on highways all over North America. During the three-day event, it is estimated that fourteen trucks or buses are inspected every minute by CVSA-certified inspectors. The program is designed to check compliance with commercial vehicle safety regulations. During Road Check, inspectors examine each vehicle’s brakes, lighting, steering, suspension, coupling devices, frame, fuel system, exhaust system, steering, and cargo area.

During the 2013 Road Check event which took place from June 4th to June 6th, one in every five vehicles which was checked by inspectors was placed out of service as a result of having one or more safety violations. Over seventy three thousand commercial vehicles (trucks and buses) were inspected during the three day event. The frequency with which some types of violations were found is higher than you might expect for an industry which has so many rules and regulations regarding safety.

Brakes were a common source of violations, with nearly half of all out-of-service violations being issued for brake adjustment and other problems related to braking system safety. This is not surprising, because approximately one third of tractor trailer crashes involve brake system issues. When braking systems on tractor trailers are not properly adjusted or are improperly maintained, there is a risk that a serious accident could occur when the truck is unable to stop as quickly as it should. Brake failure can result in deadly accidents.

One out of every fifty vehicles inspected was placed out of service for a cargo-related violation. Some of the things which constitute cargo violations are having too few tie-downs for the load that you are carry or having tie-downs that are worn or damaged. Cargo safety is a serious issue, when you consider the injuries and damage that can occur if a tractor trailer loses its load. Even if the load remains on the truck, a shifting load can cause the driver of a truck to have trouble steering. It could even cause the truck to tip over.

Road Check inspectors examine truck drivers and their log books, in addition to inspecting their vehicles. When a driver is found to be in violation of a safety rule, they may be placed out of service. The most common type of driver violation found in 2013 was hours-of-service, which accounted for more than half of all driver violations. When drivers violate the rules which specify how much time they can spend on the road, everyone’s safety is at risk. The rules are designed to ensure that drivers get enough rest and take the breaks that they need in order to stay alert behind the wheel. Some drivers who spend too much time on the road even use illegal drugs in an attempt to keep themselves alert, creating a danger to everyone who shares the road with them.

If you or someone that you love has been injured or killed in a trucking accident, it is important that you get help from an attorney who has experience in handling trucking accident cases. The seasoned Tennessee truck accident attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC are here to assist you. When you speak to us about the details of your case, we will answer your questions, explain your options and help you decide how to proceed. To learn more, call us at 901-680-9777 to schedule a time to discuss your case.  At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.

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