Roadside inspections sideline thousands of trucks and drivers

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) routinely performs roadside inspections on trucks and other large vehicles as they go through Arizona and other states. The most recent round of inspections resulted in more than 10,000 trucks and buses being taken out of service by inspectors because of various violations. During the multi-day spree, nearly 70,000 roadside inspections were conducted. The results personally affected more than 2,500 vehicle drivers. However, this equals less than 2 percent of the total drivers.

While the inspections covered all types of violations that could apply to commercial vehicles, the main focus for the latest CVSA vehicle assessments was hours of service. This is an especially serious issue since drivers remaining on the job beyond the hours permitted by industry regulations are more likely to be less alert and aware of potential risks. Coincidentally, it was driver hours-of-service violations that accounted for more than 40 percent of driver-related issues.

With trucks, it was brake problems that were responsible for almost 30 percent of the out-of-service violations. Additional truck-related issues discovered were related to tires and wheels, improperly secured cargo, steering, and suspension. Other than hours-of-service violations, top driver-specific violations included having the wrong class license, false record of duty status, and driving with a suspended license. Some drivers were also cited for drugs and alcohol and violating certain license restrictions. Compared to the previous year, there were more vehicles inspected during this widespread inspection blitz.

Should a trucking accident involve possible driver negligence, a lawyer might discuss legal options with an injured party. Possibilities include seeking compensation to cover healthcare expenses and pursuing actions against a responsible driver. In some instances, an attorney might look at a truck's maintenance history to identify issues that should have been corrected before allowing the vehicle to continue to operate.