The number of drivers placed out of service increased 1.2 percent from the year before in the June 6-8 North American Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) annual Roadcheck, according to CVSA information. The bulk of those drivers were sidelined for hours-of-service violations.
"Hours of service continue a disconcerting trend in 2006, with 4.5 percent of all inspections resulting in a driver being placed out of service for hours of service, up from 3.5 percent in 2005 and 3.4 percent in 2004," CVSA reported.
Out-of-service violations were followed by falsification of records of duty status. Licensing-related violations comprised the bulk of the remaining drivers placed out of service, with drivers operating while under suspension leading the pack. Driver violations for not wearing a safety belt also increased. CVSA said safety belt use was one of the focus areas during this year's event due to their low usage rate by commercial drivers (54 percent) as compared to automobile drivers (82 percent).
The number of vehicles placed out of service and parked due to serious defects decreased significantly this year from the year before in all major categories, including trucks, buses, and hazmat. This year's inspections involved 60,357 trucks and buses in a 72-hour period. A record number of CVSA decals, 30,950, were issued to vehicles passing the inspections.
The vehicle percentages placed out of service due to serious defects included:
•All vehicles: 21.7 percent in 2006, down from 22.5 percent in 2005.
•Hazmat: 18.2 percent in 2006, down from 19.3 percent in 2005.
•Buses: 6.9 percent in 2006, down from 11.7 percent in 2005.
In Canada, the results indicated that the vehicle out-of-service rate this year was marginally higher than it was in 2005, but better than the 2004 level, according to the Ontario Trucking Association. This year, 79.7 percent of vehicles passed the inspection process, compared with 81.4 percent in 2005 and 78.3 per cent in 2004. The out-of-service rate for drivers inspected in Canada, reflecting log book or other documentation problems, was four percent.
CVSA sponsors the annual Roadchecks with participation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (Mexico). The 2007 Roadcheck is scheduled June 5-7.