​International Roadcheck 2018 To Be Held June 5-7

Steve Pollock
May 2018

An International Roadcheck will be held throughout the USA, Canada and Mexico on Tuesday, June 5th through Thursday, June 7th, 2018. The Roadcheck will consist primarily of Level 1, 37 step inspections with a focus on hours of service compliance. Drivers will be checked for: hours of service compliance, medical cards, and driver’s license. The vehicle will be checked for: brakes; lights, tires and cargo securement as well as coupling devices, drivelines/driveshaft components, exhaust system, fuel systems, steering mechanisms, lighting devices, suspensions, and other items.

During last year’s Roadcheck 2017, 62,013 vehicles and drivers were inspected. 19.4% of the commercial vehicles inspected were placed out of service (OOS). 4.7% of drivers inspected were placed OOS.

The top three commercial vehicle OOS violations were: brake systems 29.9%; cargo securement 15.7%; and tires and wheels 15.1%.

The top three driver violations in 2017 were: hours of service 32.3%; wrong class license 14.9%; false log book 11.3%.

Tire requirements are as follows:

•Steer Tires – minimum tread depth of 4/32 at any point in the tire groove, except the wear bars.

•Drive Tires and Trailer Tires – 2/32 minimum tread depth at any point in the tire groove except from the wear bars.

•A re-grooved tire with a load carrying capacity equal to or greater than 4,920 pounds cannot be used on the front wheels.

•Additionally, no tire can have body ply or belt material exposed through the tread or sidewall. No tread or sidewall separation. No flat or audible leak. No cut to the extent of the ply or the belt material is exposed.

Gary Schroeder, Director of Cooper’s Global Truck and Bus Tire Business, says drivers and fleets should make a conscious effort to focus on tire maintenance and replacement to ensure the performance and safety of tires. “We recommend having a comprehensive maintenance program that includes regular inspections that check for proper tire pressure, tread depth and irregular wear. Properly maintained, serviced and inflated tires will also last longer.

“Maintaining proper inflation pressure in tires is the single most important factor in extending tire life. Over and under inflation have negative effects on the tire by changing the tire’s footprint, which is the area contacting the road. Under inflation causes excessive heat buildup and internal structural damage. Over inflation makes it more likely for tires to be cut, punctured or broken by sudden impact.”

Brake requirements are as follows:

•Steering Axle –

Single pads – 3/16” at the center of the pad

Double pads – ¼” at the center of the pad

Air Disc pads – 1/8” at the center of the pad

Hydraulic Disc, Drum, Electric Brakes – 1/16”

•Non-Steering Axles:

Drum Brakes – ¼” or to the wear indicator

Disc Brakes – 1/8”

Hydraulic Disc, Drum or Electric Brakes – 1/16”

•Additionally:

No liquid contaminants on the brake pads.

Brake components must be constructed, installed and maintained to prevent excessive fading and grabbing.

The means of attachment and physical characteristics must provide for safe and reliable stopping of the commercial motor vehicle.

Brake Chambers – the service brake chambers and spring brake chambers on each end of an axle must be the same size.

Slack Adjusters – the effective length of the slack adjuster on each end of an axle must be the same.

Enforcement Officers will be checking many other items as well so be prepared and compliant this June and save money, time and headaches.

For further information, visit www.govinfo.gov or www.cvsa.org.