The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is an organization that promotes safety on the road for Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers. They do this by developing standards and partnering with industry leaders and law enforcement focusing on vehicle inspections and enforcement programs.
Annually, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance runs two campaigns that targets particular areas of focus. The Road Check focuses on driver compliance, while the Operation Safe Driver Week campaign focuses on drivers engaging in unsafe driving behaviors.
CVSA International Road Check
This year’s road check is scheduled for May 13-15, which will focus on tires and false records of duty status. During the inspection, tires will be inspected for:
- Low tread depth
- Audible air leaks
- Flat tires
- Belt material or casing ply exposed in the tread or sidewall
- Tread or sidewall separation
- Bulges in the sidewall
- Improper repairs, such as rubber-coated plugs in the sidewall
- Items lodged between dual tires
Are you ready? Doing the required pre- and post-inspections and becoming a master of your tractor’s mechanics should always have you prepared year-round for any random roadside inspection.
Records of duty status will be checked for:
- Tampering with electronic log devices, including driving while not logged in, disconnected devices, and proper edits
- Ghost drivers (claiming a co-driver that is not present)
- Improper use of the personal conveyance category
- Improper use of other exceptions, including adverse driving conditions
- Recording off-duty time while performing work for a motor carrier or non-motor carrier
CVSA Operation Safe Driver Week
This year’s Operation Safe Driver Week is scheduled for July 13-19, which will focus on drivers engaging in unsafe driving behaviors.
During the operation, drivers will be observed for unsafe driving behaviors such as:
- Distracted driving
- Following too closely
- Speeding
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Reckless, careless, or dangerous driving
Drivers engaging in such behaviors will be pulled over by law enforcement and issued a warning or citation.
What Qualifies as Distracted Driving?
The FMCSA states that distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s attention off the road, their hands off the wheel, or their mind off driving. Examples include:
- Eating a meal while driving
- Holding or touching a cell phone in a cradle, which is a DOT prohibited law
- Reaching or retrieving objects that causes a driver to take one or two hands off the steering wheel or their eyes off the road
- Adjusting the radio or navigation systems; Drivers should use a Bluetooth headset or pull over to adjust the navigation system
For some drivers, talking to passengers or listening to music can be a cognitive distraction. Many other conditions alone can also exacerbate cognitive function, including but not limited to, medical issues such as sleep apnea, problems with blood pressure or blood sugar regulation, dehydration, improper nutrition, fatigue, and nicotine or tobacco use.
To learn more about how cognitive distractions compete with the ability to focus on driving, view our articles at www.flomactransporatation.com or www.linehaulmanagementservices.com.
