CVSA International Roadcheck Begins June 4
May 28, 2019
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will be conducting its annual International Roadcheck June 4 – 6.
<p>This year, while inspecting commercial motor vehicles and drivers across North America, inspectors will be putting heavy emphasis on <a href="https://cvsa.org/news-entry/2019-roadcheck-dates-focus/" rel="noopener noreferrer">steering and suspension systems</a>.</p><p>Inspectors will primarily be conducting the North American Standard Level I Inspection. Some of the things inspectors will be checking include the vehicle’s brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, steering mechanisms, tires and lighting devices.</p><p>Additionally, inspectors will check for seat belt usage, fatigue, sickness and apparent alcohol and/or drug impairment among drivers.</p><p>According to the CVSA, since the program’s inception in 1988, more than <a href="https://cvsa.org/news-entry/2019-roadcheck-dates-focus/" rel="noopener noreferrer">1.6 million roadside inspections</a> have been conducted during International Roadcheck campaigns.</p><p>Visit the <a href="https://cvsa.org/program/programs/international-roadcheck/" rel="noopener noreferrer">CVSA’s website</a> for more information about the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and International Roadcheck.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Penske Truck Leasing Can Help Your Fleet</strong></p><p>Does your truck fleet struggle with maintenance or meeting compliance? Penske Truck Leasing offers a comprehensive <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/contract-maintenance/" rel="noopener noreferrer">preventive maintenance service</a> along with other solutions. To find out more, <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/contact-us/" rel="noopener noreferrer">contact Penske Truck Leasing</a> today.</p><p><em>By "Move Ahead" Staff</em></p></div>
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Say Yes to Safely Navigating the “No-Zone”
June 21, 2018
Sun-kissed summer days may seem like the perfect time for a day trip or a cross-country move, yet better weather can lead to challenging driving conditions as you share the road with many more drivers.
<p>With passenger vehicles rubbing shoulders with large commercial trucks, drivers are advised to take extra care when maneuvering around larger vehicles to avoid areas known as blind spots.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads/large-blind-spots" rel="noopener">Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA</a>) has provided some safety tips to help drivers stay safe when driving in those blind spots, an area dubbed the “No-Zone.”</p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a6999cb259cfdab9fd49027360423aab" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="93fd8" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTEyODU4NC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNTYyMDUzOX0.62nd-cgeUrbJJ_aYB8711YqccGX_auAexqrCYh9TG2g/img.jpg?width=980"/></p><p><strong>Where are blind spots and how can you avoid them?</strong></p><p>On large trucks and busses, blind spots are found around the front, back and sides of the vehicle – areas not captured on a truck’s side mirror.</p><p>Remember, commercial trucks do not have rear-view mirrors, so if you can’t see the driver in a truck’s side mirror, you should assume that they can’t see you.</p><p>If you find yourself in a blind spot, slow down or speed up so you can get ahead of the truck or bus to stay visible. Also, be careful with merging near a larger vehicle in order to avoid the blind spot.</p><p><strong>The same rules apply when passing</strong>.</p><p>The FMCSA advises drivers to make sure you can see the driver in the mirror before passing. After you signal and move over to the opposite lane, make sure you speed up to pass the truck, so you are not caught in the blind spot.</p><p>Avoid passing on a downgrade because those heavier vehicles can pick up speed.</p><p>When you are the one being passed, stay to the right and slow down slightly. This gives the driver room to pass safely and gets you out of the blind spot quicker. Allow for plenty of space for trucks and buses to merge in front of you when coming off ramps or changing lanes.</p><p><strong>Expect large trucks and buses to make wide turns.</strong></p><p>Trucks and busses need more room to make turns.</p><p>They swing wide and can begin their turn in the middle lane, so it is important to avoid the temptation to squeeze by or occupy the space between the vehicle and curb, according to the FMCSA.</p><p>As with any challenging driving condition, the FMCSA advises all drivers to pack a healthy dose of patience, remember to wear your seatbelt and avoid distractions so you will remain focused.</p><p>Penske Logistics joins with the FMCSA in encouraging drivers to be alert and vigilant on the roadway. Safe driving is a top priority for Penske and its nearly 5,000 professional truck drivers.</p><p>“We strive to keep our drivers, our customers and other motorists safe on the highways,” said Jason Herr, vice president of safety for Penske Logistics. “We depend on our professional truck drivers to practice safe-driving skills learned on the job and through on-going training, such as Smith System.”</p><p>Smith System is the nation’s leading provider of collision avoidance driver training, helping drivers see, think and react to driving challenges through classroom and hands-on training. Many drivers credit the training with helping them stay safe on the roadway.</p><p>The FMCSA has provided this video with information about blind spots:</p><p><span class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6e1e7db835da63393b979e98395582c7" style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="auto" type="lazy-iframe" scrolling="no" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eY0hKZq0zMc?rel=0" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" width="100%"></iframe></span></p><p><em>By Bernie Mixon </em></p> </div>
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CVSA International Roadcheck Begins June 5
May 22, 2018
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will be conducting its annual International Roadcheck from June 5 to June 7.
<p>Commercial motor vehicle inspectors across North America will inspect commercial motor vehicles and drivers, and this year, they will be putting heavy emphasis on <a href="https://cvsa.org/program/programs/international-roadcheck/hos-compliance/" rel="noopener">hours-of-service compliance</a>.</p><p>Inspectors will primarily be conducting the North American Standard Level I Inspection. Some of the things <a href="https://cvsa.org/program/programs/international-roadcheck/what-inspectors-look-for/" rel="noopener">inspectors will be checking</a> include the vehicle’s fuel systems, tires, steering mechanisms, brake systems and cargo securement.</p><p>A CVSA decal will be given to vehicles that successfully pass a decal-eligible inspection by a CVSA-certified inspector. If violations are found, the driver or vehicle is at risk of being out of service until corrected. According to the <a href="https://cvsa.org/program/programs/international-roadcheck/international-roadcheck-results-2/" rel="noopener">CVSA</a>, 4.2 percent of drivers and 23 percent of vehicles that received Level I Inspections were placed out of service last year.</p><p>Visit the <a href="https://cvsa.org/program/programs/international-roadcheck/" rel="noopener">CVSA’s website</a> for more information about the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and International Roadcheck.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Penske Truck Leasing Can Help Your Fleet</strong></p><p>Does your truck fleet struggle with maintenance or meeting compliance? Penske Truck Leasing offers a comprehensive <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/contract-maintenance/" rel="noopener">preventive maintenance service</a> along with other solutions. To find out more, <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/contact-us/" rel="noopener">contact Penske Truck Leasing</a> today.</p><p><em>By “Move Ahead” Staff</em></p></div>
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International Roadcheck to Focus on Cargo Securement
May 16, 2017
Cargo securement will be the focus of inspections in early June across North America as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) 30th annual International Roadcheck.
<p>The inspections will take place from June 6-8 with CVSA-certified inspectors conducting compliance, enforcement and educational initiatives focusing on motor vehicle and driver safety.</p><p>CVSA is focusing on <a href="http://cvsa.org/program/programs/international-roadcheck/cargo-securement-tips/" rel="noopener noreferrer">cargo securement safety</a> this year to shed light on the importance of highway safety among motor carriers and professional drivers.</p><p>International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 17 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute in Canada, the United States and Mexico during the 72-hour period, according to the CVSA.</p><p>The inspectors will be conducting primarily the <a href="http://cvsa.org/inspections/inspections/all-inspection-levels/" rel="noopener noreferrer">North American Standard Level I inspection</a>, a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of the driver and the vehicle.</p><p>Drivers will be asked to provide items such as their driver’s license, hours-of-service documentation, motor carrier registration and shipping documentation. Inspectors will also check drivers for seatbelt usage as well as the use of alcohol and/or drugs.</p><p>The vehicle inspection includes the braking system, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft, exhaust systems, frames, fuel systems, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, van and open-top trailer bodies, wheels, rims and hubs, and windshield wipers,</p><p>Chuck Pagesy, director of safety, <a href="https://www.pensketruckleasing.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Penske Truck Leasing</a>, said cargo securement safety is not only beneficial to the professional truck driver but for all motorists who share the road.</p><p>“We want to make sure that we are operating safely for the motoring public. We want make sure our drivers get home safely to their families,” Pagesy said. “We want make sure that our vehicles are in good operating condition and that we are doing thorough pre-and-post inspections and documenting any defects.”</p><p>Special care should be taken by professional truck drivers when hauling cargo.</p><p>“Unsecured cargo can result in catastrophic accidents, whether they are hauling a piece of machinery, whether hauling coils of steel or whether they are hauling large rolls of paper,” Pagesy said. “It is critical that professional drivers are using the proper techniques and using securement devices that are appropriate for the type and the weight of the material they are securing.”</p><p>Pagesy encouraged professional drivers to take the time leading up to the inspection to make sure their documentation is up to date and that their vehicles are in good working order.</p><p>“Drivers should make sure they have all the required documents available: driver’s license, medical certification card, insurance card and registration,” he said. “And, they should make sure in advance that they are performing thorough pre-trip inspections to get any defects resolved and fixed prior to Roadcheck. If you keep up with your defects on a daily basis, you will be in good shape for Roadcheck.”</p><p>In light of the emphasis on cargo safety, Pagesy offered the following cargo tips for drivers:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Know your freight and understand the requirements/regulations for properly securing it.</li> <li>Regularly stop and check the load while on route to ensure it remains properly secured.</li> <li>Inspect all tie downs for damage and wear and replace any with defects or signs of wear.</li> <li>Stay current with training and any changes in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.</li> <li>Remember that load securement is critical for both public safety and preventing any damages to the cargo itself.</li></ul><p>Since its inception, more than 1.5 million inspections have been conducted as part of International Roadcheck campaigns, according to the CVSA.</p><p>International Roadcheck includes participation by the FMCSA, Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (Mexico).</p><p><em>By Bernie Mixon</em></p></div>
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