Commercial Vehicle Blitz

Offense and Defense

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has been conducting roadside inspections since 1988. CVSA sponsors the events and works in coordination with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (in the United States) to roll these out. This year we have three upcoming truck inspections, otherwise known as enforcement blitzes.

International Roadcheck (May 14-16, 2024): “an annual three-day event when CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle and driver safety.” They’ve averaged some 15 trucks inspected every minute throughout North America.

Operation Safe Driver Week (July 7 — 13, 2024): “aimed at reducing unsafe driver behaviors by educating all drivers about ways to share the roads safely.” This includes targeting unsafe driving behaviors by drivers of passenger vehicles and commercial trucks; educating youth on sharing roads with large vehicles; increasing awareness to the general public on safe driving practices; and improving regulatory compliance.

Brake Safety Week: (August 25 — 31, 2024): “commercial motor vehicle inspectors conduct brake system inspections (primarily Level IV Inspections) on large trucks and buses throughout North America to identify brake-system violations.” This one addresses the metrics: “Brake-related violations comprise the largest percentage of all out-of-service violations cited during roadside inspections.” Poor installation or maintenance of brake systems can jeopardize the braking capacity and stopping distance of trucks and buses. Some 3.4 million brakes have been inspected through the program. since 1998.

Plus: one unannounced one-day brake safety enforcement blitz.

Why is all this important? As the CVSA spotlights it:

This program focuses specifically on drivers because drivers’ actions – whether it’s something a driver did, like speeding, or something they didn’t do, such as not paying attention to the driving task – are responsible for most crashes. In fact, drivers’ actions contribute to a staggering 94% of all traffic crashes.

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. That preparation includes driver awareness and vehicle maintenance.

Be safe out there.