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April 19, 2022

How to prepare for Operation Roadcheck 2022

Kenny Ray

Operation Roadcheck, International Roadcheck, or simply Roadcheck, is the annual three-day, high visibility enforcement emphasis conducted by commercial motor vehicle inspectors across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  Roadcheck is coordinated by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and designates a particular inspection focus each year.  For 2022, Roadcheck is scheduled for May 17-19 with a focus on wheel end assembly components.  Equipment violations involving wheel end components are routinely identified each year as a Top 10 Equipment Violation by CVSA.

Why care about Operation Roadcheck?

Roadcheck differs from routine roadside inspection efforts in several ways.  First, this three-day event is heavily publicized to allow motor carriers ample time and opportunity to have their vehicles meet regulatory compliance.  In addition, most fixed inspection sites (scale strips, ports-of-entry, etc.) will be open for 72 continuous hours beginning at midnight on May 17.  Enforcement officers will issue tickets for more serious violations alongside all other violations being recorded during a roadside inspection. Strict compliance will be imposed with the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria as well.  Most of the inspections will include the North American Standard Level I Inspection.  Finally, the designated focus, wheel end assemblies, will be meticulously inspected with all violations documented and properly enforced when appropriate.

Do you have your checklist?

With the designated focus on wheel end assemblies, CVSA prepared the following list of inspection items to help motor carriers properly prepare all commercial motor vehicles for Roadcheck:

  • Check for cracks or unseated locking rings, studs, or clamps.
  • Check for bent, cracked or broken rims on the inside and outside wheel rims.
  • Check for loose, broken, missing or damaged wheel fasteners and elongated stud holes.
  • Check spoke wheels for cracks across spokes and in the web area or slippage in the clamp areas.
  • Check the hub for lubricant leaks, missing caps or plugs.
  • Check the inner wheel seal for leaks.
  • Check the tire and valve stem for leaks.
  • Check for proper inflation, cuts, and bulges on all tires, including the inside tire on a dual set.
  • Check for re-grooved tires on steering axle.
  • Check tread wear and measure major tread groove depth.
  • Inspect the sidewall for improper repairs, such as tire plugs.
  • Check for exposed fabric or cord.
  • Check for tire contact with any part of the vehicle.
  • Check for markings on the tire that would exclude its use on a steering axle.
  • Check for debris between the tires.
  • Check for tires touching one another or any part of the vehicle.

Costs Add Up, Safety Best Practices Can Help

At its most basic level, preparation for any roadside inspection is best achieved by drivers performing proper pre-trip inspections and mechanics faithfully repairing any noted deficiencies.  Many of the wheel end components noted above are internal within the wheel end assembly and are not visible to a driver during a pre-trip inspection.  Thus, it is critical for service directors and technicians to thoroughly inspect and repair any of the noted components.

Correcting violations found during Roadcheck is often quite expensive.  Since Roadcheck focus is known beforehand, enforcement agencies rarely offer drivers the option of traveling to the next available repair location if any out-of-service items are discovered.  As such, drivers with out-of-service violations often have to call a mobile repair service to come to the inspection site for repairs or have the vehicle towed to a repair facility. The total expense of an out-of-service violation becomes significant when the costs of such repairs are added to the cost of a ticket, lost revenue from late deliveries, drivers running out of hours, accrued CSA points, and brand damage.

Thousands of commercial motor vehicles will pass the inspections performed during Roadcheck. Many thousands of others will be placed out-of-service. Those drivers and motor carriers who successfully pass the process are those that regard safety as a core principle, have drivers who conduct daily pre-trip inspections, and have service technicians who meticulously maintain equipment to the highest standards. As you tackle all safety risks on the road, remember that Marsh McLennan Agency can support your team with a risk management strategy to keep your teams in the driver’s seat.

Watch the How To Prepare for Operation Roadcheck 2022 recording.