The annual road check inspection is scheduled this year for June 2nd to the 4th, and will be performed in a joint effort by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. During these 72 hours, about 10,000 officials at 1,500 stations throughout North America will perform over 70,000 inspections.
Before the inspection, make sure you’re prepared. Take a look at this vehicle checklist before you hit the road:
- Brakes & wheels. Make sure that your brakes are working properly and be aware of any screeching or other noises that may be occurring when you brake. Be sure to also check the slack adjusters and the brake adjustment. While checking the brakes, it would also be a good time to make sure the tires, rims, and hubs of the wheels are also in good shape. Look for cracks, missing or damaged lug nuts, and deflated tires.
- Fuel & Exhaust. Be sure your vehicle isn’t leaking any fluid, and that the exhaust system components are working properly.
- Steering. Check your steering alignment and how much space your vehicle requires to make turns.
- Suspension. Examine your vehicle’s axels, and also check for missing or damaged springs or bolts.
Now that the vehicle is ready to go, are you? As a driver, the most important part of the trip is safety. Be sure to make smart decisions not only during the inspections, but also every day. Take a look at this checklist for safe driving.
- Wear your seatbelt. A seatbelt can save your life, and buckling up is the law.
- Focus. It’s important to pay attention to road signs, changes to the speed limit, and other drivers around you. Avoid using your cell phone or eating a meal while driving. It can easily distract you from what’s happening on the road. Instead distracting yourself while driving, pull over if you need to make a phone call, eat, or become tired.
- Slow and steady. Don’t feel like you have to rush to get from point A to point B. Keep your distance behind other motorists, especially when driving a large vehicle, as it takes more time to slow down and stop. You may also want to consider staying in one lane for the majority of your trip, if possible. Remember, it’s not a race.
Last year’s vehicle out-of-service rate was 18.7% and the driver out-of-service rate was 4.8%. By following the safety measures listed above, you can help lower these percentages for 2015.
If you need materials and products moved in the Mid-Atlantic region, contact Evan Transportation. We hire professional drivers with excellent driving records, and maintain a fleet of trailers and vehicles that are reliable and ready to roll. We service the following areas:
- New Jersey
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Central Pennsylvania and points east
- West Virginia (eastern part of the state)
- Northern Virginia
- Richmond
Contact us today for all of your freight shipment needs or call us at 443-673-3365
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