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August 16, 2024Things to Know for Roadcheck Week 2024
The 2024 Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)’s annual International Roadcheck will be held on May 14-16. Over the three days, law enforcement will conduct high-volume commercial vehicle inspections at weigh/inspection stations, temporary sites and mobile patrols to verify compliance with DOT regulations.
Commercial truck drivers and fleet owners should be prepared. The number of violations and citations by enforcement agencies skyrocket during these 72-hours, and they can include some costly fees and penalties. Last year’s Roadcheck focused on ABS and cargo securement, and in 2024, we’ll see an increased emphasis on tractor protection systems and alcohol and controlled substances possession.
Tractor Protection Systems Inspections
Tractor protection systems are critical to safe transport, especially the tractor protection valve, trailer supply valve and anti-bleed back valve. These are commonly overlooked during trip and roadside inspections, so expect these items to be inspected carefully.
As outlined by the CVSA, requirements for tractor protection systems are as follows:
- Every commercial motor vehicle equipped with an air brake system and used to tow a trailer with air brakes must be equipped with a tractor or towing-vehicle protection system.
- The test will only be performed on a vehicle that is towing a trailer equipped with an air brake system.
- Air-braked power units converted to tow trailers equipped with air brakes from a non-towing operation must have these systems properly retrofitted into the air brake system.
- Air escaping from either the supply/emergency or service/control gladhand line of any vehicle equipped to tow an air brake-equipped trailer indicates the unit has a defective tractor protection system and the vehicle is in an out-of-service (OOS) condition.
Inspectors will conduct a 37-step inspection, including examination of your truck and driver documentation. Brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft component, driver’s seat, fuel systems, exhaust systems, frames, lights, steering, suspensions, tires, wheels, rims, hubs and windshield wipers will all be carefully checked.
View the CVSA’s inspection bulletin for an outline of the complete inspection.
A passing inspection will earn a CVSA decal, which are valid for three months. If out-of-service violations are found, the vehicle will be restricted from operating until all violation have been addressed. Drivers identified with out-of-service violations, improper operating licenses or impairment, will be restricted from further operation.
Stay Ready with Red Classic
If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready – Red Classic’s comprehensive fleet maintenance services can help. We help hundreds of our customers stay compliant and avoid expensive violations through Red Classic’s Preventive Maintenance Services and Managed Maintenance Solutions. Regardless of what roadchecks are in place, we’ll provide the technicians you need to service your equipment, manage all your maintenance records in compliance with DOT regulations and provide regular reporting to track expense metrics and trends.
Contact one of Red Classic’s 65 full-service fleet maintenance shops today, and you’ll quickly experience the difference – in price, service and expertise.
