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CVSA International Roadcheck 2024: Are You Prepared?

It’s time to gear up for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck. This year’s 72-hour safety event is set for May 14 – 16. During the Roadcheck, law enforcement personnel will inspect commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and drivers at weigh stations and inspection stations throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

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Secure Your Cargo (& Avoid the Perils of Shifting Loads)

As a professional driver, you face countless challenges on the road, and you can’t anticipate them all. But here’s one that’s totally within your control: keeping your cargo safe and secure.

Proper cargo securement is more than just making sure every item in your trailer or flatbed is tied down. It also involves achieving the right balance. When your cargo is evenly distributed, you’ll avoid the risk of load shifting. It’s a serious problem that makes a truck difficult to drive. It can even cause a truck to roll over.

A few ways to secure your cargo and prevent load shifting:

Before you load

Sweep out your trailer so you start with a clean floor.
Inspect all securement devices (tie-downs, ratchet straps, chains, binders, cargo nets) for signs of wear and tear. Replace any damaged tie-downs and be sure to always carry more than needed just in case a replacement is needed while on the road.
Check the working load limit (WLL) of your tie-downs so you don’t overstress them.
Inspect the load you’ll be hauling. Look for the weight (which should be listed on the bill of lading) and length of your cargo.

As you load

Use the right number of tie-downs. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recommendations call for:
One tie-down for items that are 5 feet long or shorter and weigh 1,100 lbs. or less
Two tie-downs for
- Items that are 5 feet long or shorter and weigh 1,100 lbs. or more
- Items that are longer than 5 feet but shorter than 10 feet
Use additional tie-downs for every extra 10 foot of length
Unsure of how many tie-downs to use? Add an extra tie-down or two to be extra cautious.
Make sure all securement devices are tight but not too tight—they should snap like a rubber band.
Use edge protectors to prevent straps from damaging your cargo.
Secure any rolling cargo with chocks, wedges or cradles.
Distribute your load as evenly as possible and try to secure cargo to fixed points inside your trailer or on a flatbed.

As you drive

Inspect your cargo within the first 50 miles, then every 3 hours, 150 miles or at change of duty. Make sure nothing has shifted or moved. Tighten any loose tie-downs.
Drive safely. Take tight curves slowly. Avoid harsh braking. Slow down in inclement weather.

Remember, proper cargo securement is the driver’s responsibility. Take the time to balance your load, drive safely, and check your load in transport to keep you and your cargo safe.

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15 Ways To Keep Yourself Safe on the Road

Truck driving can be dangerous. Follow these 15 tips to keep yourself safe on and off the road:

Before You Leave

1. Plan your route. Know where you’re headed, where you might stop along the way, where you’ll encounter heavy traffic, and where you might need to make a detour.

2. Complete a pre-trip inspection. Take 15 minutes to check your truck’s general condition, fluid levels, tires, lights, brakes, gauges and controls.

3. Buckle up. Don’t leave without putting on your seat belt. Thirty percent of truck drivers killed in crashes were partially or totally ejected from their vehicles, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

When You’re Driving

4. Watch for dangers. Scan ahead 15 seconds (one-quarter mile on an interstate or one to two blocks in cities) for traffic issues, work zones and other dangers.

5. Check your mirrors. Look at them every eight to 10 seconds and watch for vehicles in your blind spots.

6. Limit lane changes. If you do change lanes, use your turn signals and brakes to alert other drivers.

7. Keep an eye on the sky. Watch the weather and slow down when needed due to road conditions (snow, rain, ice) or layout (tight curves, mountainous terrain).

8. Slow down in work zones. Obey all signs and speed limits, watch for road crews, maintain extra following distance and be prepared to stop.

9. Avoid distractions. Truckers and bus drivers are 23.2 times more likely to be involved in a crash, near-crash or lane deviation while texting, says the FMCSA.

10. Steer clear of aggressive drivers. If you see other drivers tailgating, making unsafe lane changes, failing to signal or speeding, get out of their way. Stay relaxed. Don’t make eye contact. Ignore any rude gestures.

When You Stop

11. Park only in well-lit areas.

12. Lock your truck and secure your cargo and any valuables.

13. Be alert. Watch for any suspicious activity at or around your truck, and don’t walk between trailers at a truck stop.

14. Inspect your vehicle so you’re ready for the next leg of your trip.

15. Get sleep. Sleeping seven to nine hours a night will keep you refreshed.

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Avoid These 3 Holiday Driving Hazards

During the holiday season, more than one-third of Americans travel by car, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). This year, experts expect those numbers to rise. The result: congested roads.

Steer clear of danger. Watch for these three common holiday hazards:

1. Congestion – The holidays can turn your favorite route into a nightmare. Take charge by planning your trip ahead of time. Map out a few different routes, so you’ll know where to go — and what to do — should you hit a traffic jam. Leave early if possible so you have more time to reach your destination. And limit the number of lane changes you make on your route.

2. Impaired driving – When roads get crowded, people who drive while impaired create a high risk of injury not just for themselves but for everyone else on the highway. Impaired driving includes:

Drunk driving – In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that 39% of traffic fatalities during the Christmas holiday were caused by alcohol-impaired drivers.
Drowsy driving – As many as 27% of U.S. drivers say they sleep less than 6 hours a night, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. That number increases in December as people handle numerous holiday obligations.
Distracted driving – Texting, eating, drinking, map reading and other distractions take a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, during which time a driver traveling at 55 mph goes 371 feet (longer than a football field), according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Combat all these behaviors by driving defensively. Check your mirrors often. Scan ahead at least a quarter of a mile. Look for telltale signs of impaired driving, such as swerving, tailgating and drifting. Stay sober. Don’t text and drive. And get at least seven hours of sleep.

3. Winter weather – The holidays mean snow, sleet and freezing temperatures for certain parts of the U.S. Take extra caution on bridges and overpasses, which freeze faster than the road. Clear all ice and snow from your truck and trailer. Keep a fully stocked emergency kit, and carry extra blankets, bottled water and non-perishable foods if you get stuck.

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Brake Safety: 10+ Tips to Pass an Inspection

When you press the brake pedal on your truck, you expect an instant response. Yet any number of issues can cause your vehicle’s braking systems to fail, increasing your risk of a serious accident while putting you and your cargo in danger. That’s why maintaining your truck’s braking system is so important and a major part of your Pre-Trip Inspection.

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Dos and Don'ts of Driving in the Rain

You may know the saying, “April showers bring May flowers”, but these same wet conditions also create a variety of dangerous road hazards for professional drivers. In fact, flooding is now ranked as the second deadliest weather hazard in the U.S. each year, according to the National Weather Service. (Excessive heat is currently listed as the Number 1 deadliest U.S. weather hazard).

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Keep It Rolling: Your Pre, During and Post-Trip Inspection Guide

As a professional driver, you rely on your truck to operate at peak performance to keep you and those around you safe. That’s why it’s so important to conduct thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections — and even check in on your truck and its load during your travels while at a weigh station or rest stop.

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Roadside Emergency Kit: What Drivers Should Pack

What hazards will this winter bring to commercial motor vehicle drivers? While nobody knows for sure how bad each winter may be, the Farmer’s Almanac indicates that the winter of 2022-23 will include plenty of snow, rain and mush, along with record-breaking cold in parts of the U.S.

That means professional drivers must be ready for anything and plan accordingly. This includes keeping a properly stocked roadside emergency kit with you at all times. Your kit can help if you get stuck or stranded in harsh weather and is there if you suffer an unexpected mechanical breakdown or accident. In extreme situations, the items in your kit may even save your life. So prior to each trip, inspect the items in your kit to ensure completeness and make sure you know how to operate the emergency equipment before an emergency happens.

What should go in your kit?

Mandatory Items

The U.S. Department of Transportation mandates that all drivers carry:

One fire extinguisher with an Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) rating of 5 B:C or more, or two extinguishers with UL ratings of 4 B:C or more. All extinguishers must be labeled, filled, charged and securely mounted. Hazmat vehicles must carry an extinguisher with UL ratings of 10 B:C or more.

Spare fuses – You should have at least one spare fuse for each type and size of fuse your truck needs.

Warning devices for stopped vehicles – These include three bi-directional emergency reflective triangles. You should also carry at least six road flares capable of burning for 30 minutes or three liquid-burning flares capable of burning for at least 60 minutes to meet UL standards.

Other Basic Items

Jumper cables or a portable lithium-ion battery

Motor oil and coolant

A safety vest and a warning flag

A first-aid kit that includes bandages, hand sanitizer, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, scissors and tweezers

A tool kit that includes wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, flashlight, duct tape, zip ties and a box cutter

A tire pressure gauge and an inflator or sealant to patch up a tire

Long-lasting foods like canned goods and energy bars

Bottled water – Wrap them in a cloth to make sure they don’t freeze in colder weather.

Cell phone with a charging cord that works properly

Medications – prescription, over-the-counter meds and supplements

A tarp if you need to work on your rig while on the road

A laminated list of all emergency contacts

A hand crank radio or battery-operated radio with extra batteries

Items Specifically for Cold Weather Driving

Snow and ice equipment – Shovel, ice scraper, snow brush, tire chains, below zero windshield washer fluid, weather-proof matches, cat litter for traction

Winter clothing – Wool socks, hat, mittens, waterproof boots, snow pants, insulated socks, face mask, ice cleats, hand and feet warmers

Extra blankets including an emergency blanket and/or a subzero sleeping bag

Other authorized comfort items – It’s been proven that morale-boosting items greatly increase the likelihood of survival and increase the ability to maintain rational thought during emergency situations.

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7 Simple Words for Safe Back-to-School Driving

As an estimated 480,000 school buses return to U.S. roads over the next few weeks, it’s time for professional drivers to brush up on their own lesson plan: How to drive with care during back-to-school season. Remember these 7 words that can help you avoid an accident and potentially save a life.

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Before You Leave

When You’re Driving

When You Stop

Clearing the confusion

Making roads safer

To check ABS, inspectors will:

To check for cargo securement violations, inspectors will:

Three quick tips to help you pass an inspection:

The Two Most Common Types of Flooding:

Other Dos and Don'ts for Driving in Heavy Rain:

How often should I inspect my truck?

What are the benefits of pre, during and post-trip inspections?

What must I check during a pre-trip inspection?

How long should an inspection take?

What are the most common vehicle problems?

Which items are most overlooked in an inspection?

What about the interior of my truck?

Mandatory Items

Other Basic Items

Items Specifically for Cold Weather Driving

1. Eliminate all distractions.

2. Know the signs.

3. Always assume a train is coming.

4. Red flashing lights at the tracks mean stop.

5. Look left and right twice for approaching trains before crossing.

6. Take extra caution at multiple tracks.

7. Know the law.

8. Don’t get hung up on the tracks.

9. Once you start crossing, don’t hesitate.

What can I expect?

What happens if inspectors find a brake problem?

What's my risk of getting a brake-related OOS?

What is the focus area for inspectors?

How can I make sure I pass a brake inspection?

1. Stop

2. Slow

3. Plan

4. Scan

5. Watch

6. Know

7. Focus

What is a proper speed?

What is the proper following distance?

1. Conduct Thorough Pre-, During- and Post-Trip Inspections

2. Know the Signs of Wheel-End Problems

3. Don't Forget the Rest of Your Truck

4. Know Which Wheel-End Items Inspectors Will Check

1. Slow Down!

2. Keep Your Distance

3. Plan Your Route

4. Move Into the Open Lane

5. Avoid Distraction