Never claim not to have been warned. Because hawk-eyed enforcement officers will be concentrating on cargo securement and anti-lock braking systems (ABS) in a forthcoming blitz, carriers and drivers may want to pay special attention to them.
Thousands of commercial vehicles will be inspected during the 72-hour blitz throughout Canada, the United States, and Mexico at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) International Roadcheck, which will take place on May 16–18.
In comparison to a 23.8% out-of-service rate in the U.S., Canadian enforcement teams last year took 22.6% of inspected vehicles out of service during a campaign from May 17 to 19.
According to CVSA, Canadian teams executed 3,359 Level 1 inspections, removing 760 vehicles and 191 drivers from operation. The top five out-of-service violations for vehicles in Canada last year included brake systems, cargo securement, subpar service brakes, lights, and tires.
Pre-trip inspections
Of course, roadcheck teams will examine more than just load securement.
According to Dave Willison, manager of field operations at heavy-hauler Scott-Woods Transport in Vaughan, Ont., drivers must pay attention to everything, every single day.
Pre-trip inspections (PTIs) and post-trip checks are equally important, Willison added, stressing the need to have everything in order from the front bumper to the back bumper.
"The PTI better take you more than 30 minutes on our five-axle trailers. Don't chintz out on it, advises Jeff Gordon, manager of operations, health, and safety at steel carrier Kim-Tam Logistics in Burlington, Ontario. The business also does tailgate audits to make sure the policy is being followed.
Working ABS ensures safety
There are two things that drivers using the anti-lock braking system (ABS) must be aware of.
When the truck is started, the ABS light on the dash should first momentarily illuminate before turning off. Secondly, the back left corner of many trailers is fitted with an amber light. The light ought to turn on for a brief period of time after being linked between the tractor and trailer before going out.
Without functioning ABS, using brakes could cause the vehicle to lock up and lose control.
The shop manager at TransPro Freight Systems, Timothy Livingstone, explains that the brakes can pulse because of an ABS modulator valve. The tires won't lock up as the brakes are applied and released, allowing drivers to maintain control.
Livingstone continues, "It is best to get to a shop as soon as possible if the light appears on the dash or trailer."
The J560 connector's center pin, or the blue circuit, which powers the ABS, may present difficulties in this area. Sometimes a connected fuse could just be loose, or it could have been harmed by a bad connection or moisture.
He advises drivers to use the "pop the hood and check the 20-amp fuse in the firebox panel" method of troubleshooting. "Replace it if it's blown. More problems arise if the wind blows continuously. Most of the time, it's a simple remedy that doesn't require a trip to the shop or a roadside call, so you can save downtime.
Random tagging program
To keep drivers alert, TransPro's Frolick employs a random tagging program. "I will personally fasten the tag to a truck or trailer, on a part they ought to inspect." Additionally, drivers are required to return any tags they uncover during a PTI before leaving the yard.
"Easter egg hunt is not the intended purpose of this. I tell the drivers that we work together as a team. The motorist will have to give an explanation if the tag is not returned, he says.
The procedure is not just for the fleet's newest drivers. Even experienced and more seasoned drivers are susceptible to complacency and overconfidence over time.
Overconfidence can get you in trouble
Willison furthermore visits job sites to watch how truckers secure their loads. "Never let your guard down because the last load will be the one to take you, even if you are traveling the same route repeatedly. Overconfidence will backfire on you. Not a game at all.
Frolick wonders, "What if people who maintain airplanes become complacent?" "Don't you think the finest hockey players still work out? You're an expert in your field.
The emphasis on security goes beyond the steel coils that are lifted onto flatdecks. Straps and load bars are required for reefers and dry vans, even for lighter loads.
If a trailer is already sealed, what then?
Drivers in these situations are required to take all possible precautions, according to Frolick. They could inquire whether they could inspect the load at a shipper's office. When a shipper's employee declines a request, make a note of their name and contact information. The driver can give that information to a law enforcement officer if the load is later inspected.
Don’t cheat
According to Oscar Porter, fleet services manager at Kim-Tam Logistics, don't fudge the load securement process and thoroughly inspect everything. "Read the instructions or give a knowledgeable person a call if you have questions."
Gordon continues, "If in doubt, put on an extra chain." Willison concurs, stating that utilizing more securement devices than necessary has no negative effects. "Make sure your straps are intact and your chains have not stretched. Every time you stop, check your tires and air lines, he advises.
“When you play by the rules, your life is stress-free.”
Michael Frolick, director of safety and compliance, TransPro Freight Systems
"When you follow the rules, there is no tension in your life. Similar to Buckley's [cough medication], it tastes awful yet has medicinal benefits. You don't have to like it, but you should know how it functions, says Frolick.
Although drivers should heed this advise every day, Roadcheck provides an additional reminder. Drivers can relax whenever they approach a scale house if inspections are carried out correctly.
