McCOMB, Miss.–You may not have known it unless you’re a commercial driver, but the Miss. Dept. of Transportation has been continuously checking commercial vehicles for three days straight. They’re wrapping up the three-day inspection today, but they’ll still be at it to make sure commercial drivers are obeying the law.
It’s part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s 72-hour International Roadcheck.
This is part of a news release from MDOT:
During this marathon of inspections, a special emphasis is being placed on cargo securement. The Roadcheck, which will take place throughout North America, includes several sites in Mississippi with locations in Southaven, Olive Branch, Iuka, Corinth, Fulton, Meridian, Moss Point, Bay Saint Louis, Picayune, McComb and Vicksburg.
The Roadcheck consists of a 37-step procedure that involves an examination of both the driver and vehicle. Drivers will be asked to provide specific documentation and checked for seat belt usage and the use of alcohol and/or drugs. MDOT officers will be inspecting items such as the braking system, coupling devices, exhaust system, frame, fuel system, lights, safe loading, steering mechanism, suspension, tires, windshield wipers and emergency exits on buses, among other things.
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 a 72-hour period. Last year, MDOT officers inspected 1,523 vehicles as a part of the Roadcheck during which 281 vehicles were placed out of service until repairs were made.
“MDOT has zero tolerance for unsafe commercial truck and bus drivers,” said Chief Willie Huff of MDOT’s Enforcement Division. “We are proud to participate in this year’s Roadcheck efforts to ensure the safety of Mississippi’s highways. Participating in an event such as this helps keep our roads, and those traveling on them, that much safer.”
Since its inception in 1988, roadside inspections conducted during Roadcheck have numbered over 1.4 million, resulting in an estimated 318 lives saved and 5,840 injuries avoided. It also provides an opportunity to educate industry and the general public about the importance of safe commercial vehicle operations and the roadside inspection program.
To learn more about International Roadcheck, visit http://www.cvsa.org/programs/int_roadcheck.
