The CVSA revealed that the International Roadcheck of 2023 will take place between May 16th and the 18th. During these couple of days, inspectors across the United States, Mexico, and Canada will conduct commercial motor vehicle inspections with a specific focus on Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) and Cargo Securement.
Every year the CVSA chooses a specific area of inspection to highlight and pay special attention to, in order to raise awareness of how these elements can contribute to the safety of everyone sharing the road. This year is no exception, and the focus on ABS violations is meant to show how important they are to avoid collisions. ABS is responsible for allowing the driver to control the truck while breaking and preventing the wheels from locking up or skidding.
Additionally, the focus on Cargo Securement is meant to recognize how much depends on the proper ways to secure cargo on a truck. Failing to secure cargo correctly can put the driver and everyone around at risk, as the vehicle becomes more difficult to maneuver, and the loads can fall, hurting other people on the road.
Here are some things to keep in mind as we approach the International Roadcheck this year:
ABS Lamps: Ensure your vehicle has a working ABS lamp that lights up whenever activated. This item in the dashboard should look like a yellow lamp marked with “ABS.” Improper functioning of the ABS lamp will lead to a violation, especially during this year’s International Roadcheck.
To know if your ABS is working correctly, the ABS Lamp should light up when you turn the ignition on your truck and quickly turn it off. If it’s not working correctly, it will most likely stay on in the dashboard, which signals that something is wrong. However, for this alert to be trustworthy, the lamp must work. If not, there is no way for the driver to know if the ABS is working or not.
Cargo Securement: Ensure the cargo securement materials, devices, and systems used are in good condition and compliant with the standards set by the FMCSA. The latest regulations on cargo securement highlight the role of tie-downs and how to use them correctly, the number of tie-downs appropriate for specific types of cargo, and more indications to keep in mind.