CVSA inspections aim to keep roadways safe

CVSA inspections aim to keep roadways safe from trucking accidents

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance conducts investigations throughout the year to help better ensure the trucks on our nation’s roadways are in compliance with regulations, inspecting both the driver and the vehicle itself.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) conducts almost four million commercial motor vehicle inspections every year throughout the country. These inspections are designed to increase the safety of the nation’s roadways by both holding those who violate safety regulations accountable by putting offenders out-of-service, which also works to deter future violations.

Data on a recent inspection

According to a recent report by the trucking publication Overdrive, an inspection blitz in June of 2015 resulted in the review of almost 70,000 commercial vehicles and buses. Of these inspections, 44,989 were trucks. Within this group, almost 25 percent were placed out-of-service. These inspections were North American Standard Level I Inspections, the most comprehensive level of inspection. It includes a review of the driver’s license, medical examiner’s certification, alcohol and drugs and hours-of-service as well as the vehicle’s brake system, coupling devices, fuel system, turn signals, tail lamps, steering mechanisms and tires.

Leading violations during the June inspection included:

• Hours-of-service violations. Driver violations were primarily in the hours-of-service category with 46 percent.
• Brake issues. Brake system violations made up 27.5 percent of the violations with brake adjustment violations making up 15.5 percent of the out-of-service orders.
• Hazardous materials. Commercial vehicles that are transporting hazardous materials often have to follow special protocol. In this category, violations included issues with paperwork; more specifically violations were given for shipping paper and placard issues.

These inspections occur throughout the year. A second, more recent inspection conducted in October resulted in 19,480 inspections. Although significantly smaller than the earlier blitz, this round resulted in the inspection of 13,807 trucks and drivers. Of this group, 4,062 were issued citations and 3,923 got warnings for various violations including speeding and weight violations.

Remedies for victims

Accidents that involve a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle are often devastating for those in the passenger vehicle. The Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration completed a study reviewing truck and car accidents. According to their findings, those in the passenger vehicle were 78 percent more likely to suffer fatal injuries than the driver of the truck.

Those who are injured may be eligible for compensation to help cover the costs associated with the accident. This can include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and potential pain and suffering awards. However, attempting to put together a claim on your own can be complex for a number of reasons. One example involves liability. In addition to the driver, the trucking company, manufacturer of the truck and other parties may also be liable. As a result, it is wise for victims in these situations to seek the counsel of the experienced truck accident lawyers at the Adler Law Group, LLC.