The Kentucky State Police (KSP) will be participating in the annual Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck from May 4-6. This enforcement campaign occurs in the U.S., Canada and Mexico to ensure commercial motor vehicles and drivers are compliant with regulations.

“International Roadcheck reminds motor carriers and drivers of the importance of proactive vehicle maintenance and driver readiness,” said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. “International Roadcheck also aims to raise awareness of the North American Standard Inspection Program and the essential highway safety rules and regulations in place to keep our roadways safe.”

KSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Inspectors will ensure the vehicle’s brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, driver’s seat, exhaust systems, frames, fuel systems, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, van and open-top trailer bodies, wheels, rims, hubs and windshield wipers are compliant with regulations. Inspections of motor coaches, passenger vans and other passenger-carrying vehicles also include emergency exits, electrical cables and systems in the engine and battery compartments, and seating.

Inspectors will be looking for critical vehicle inspection item violations, outlined in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria. If a violation is found, the vehicle will be placed out of service and will not be able to operate on the road until the identified issue is corrected.

KSP Major Nathan Day, Division Director for the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Troop says the International Roadcheck program is an important component of highway safety.

“This 72-hour, high volume inspection and enforcement blitz ensures that commercial trucks are operating safely on Kentucky roadways,” says Day. “Our main focus is preventing crashes and ensuring everyone makes it home safe.”

Vehicles that successfully pass inspection, without any critical vehicle inspection item violations found after a completed Level I or Level V Inspection, should receive a CVSA decal. In general, vehicles with a CVSA decal are not re-inspected during the three-month period during which the decal is valid. Instead, inspectors focus their efforts on vehicles without a valid CVSA decal.

During the inspection, CVE inspectors will check the driver’s operating credentials, hours-of-service documentation, seat belt usage, and for alcohol and/or drug impairment. A driver will be placed out of service if an inspector discovers driver-related out-of-service conditions.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the lighting violation “lamps inoperable” was the number one vehicle violation in 2020, accounting for approximately 12.24% of all vehicle violations discovered that year. During last year’s International Roadcheck, the top driver out-of-service violation category in North America was hours of service, accounting for 34.7% of all driver out-of-service conditions.

International Roadcheck is a CVSA program with participation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and Mexico’s Ministry of Communications and Transportation and its National Guard.