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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.
Why ABS and Cargo Securement are the Focus this year?
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.
FAQs
What is the CVSA International Roadcheck and why does it matter for trucking companies?
The CVSA International Roadcheck is an annual, three-day enforcement initiative during which certified inspectors across the United States, Canada, and Mexico conduct a high volume of roadside inspections on commercial motor vehicles and drivers. It is widely recognized as the largest targeted enforcement program of its kind, with roughly 15 trucks or motorcoaches inspected every minute over a 72-hour period. During this event, inspectors perform standardized North American inspections to verify compliance with safety regulations that cover critical areas such as brakes, tires, steering, lighting, cargo securement, driver qualification, and hours of service. The goal is twofold: to remove unsafe vehicles and drivers from the road in the short term, and to encourage fleets to maintain strong safety and maintenance programs year-round. The data collected during International Roadcheck is also used by regulators and industry stakeholders to track trends, refine enforcement priorities, and promote best practices in commercial vehicle safety.
How should carriers and drivers prepare for International Roadcheck, especially when the focus is on ABS and cargo securement like in 2023?
When International Roadcheck places special emphasis on topics such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and cargo securement—as it did in 2023—carriers and drivers need to approach preparation as a coordinated effort between the shop, the safety department, and the driver behind the wheel. From a maintenance standpoint, fleets should confirm that ABS components are in good working order, that warning lamps function correctly at key-on, and that any recurring fault codes are diagnosed and repaired before the truck is dispatched. Industry guidance consistently points out that, even when ABS violations do not automatically place a vehicle out of service, a malfunctioning system undermines stopping stability and can be flagged during an inspection, which hurts a carrier’s safety profile. On the cargo side, preparation means more than simply tightening a few straps. Carriers should ensure that their securement practices align with federal cargo securement rules, including proper use of blocking, bracing, dunnage, tie-downs, and vehicle structures to prevent movement in all directions. Drivers need to understand working load limits, how many tie-downs are required for different types of loads, and how to recognize worn or damaged securement equipment that must be removed from service. Training materials and pre-roadcheck briefings often emphasize that inspectors will still conduct full Level I or Level II inspections while giving extra attention to the announced focus areas, so fleets that already maintain strong daily inspection and preventive maintenance routines tend to fare best during the blitz.