Roadcheck Inspections Kick Off at Maryland Event; Run Through Thursday
LANDOVER, Md. — The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance kicked off its 72-hour 2012 “Roadcheck” safety event Tuesday at FedEx Field here, with Maryland State Police inspectors pulling hundreds of trucks of all shapes and sizes off nearby Interstate 495 for comprehensive inspections.
Other than the usual brake lights or tail light violations, inspectors put trucks out of service for more serious equipment violations, caught one driver who admitted to smoking a marijuana cigarette an hour before the inspection and arrested another on an outstanding warrant, said Capt. Norman Dofflemyer, a division commander for the Maryland State Police.
The emphasis at this year’s Roadcheck event, estimated to include 10,000 inspectors at locations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, is on brake and hours-of-service violations, CVSA said.
In a kickoff speech, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Anne Ferro warned drivers and carriers that they risked being put out-of-service for unsafe driving and maintenance practices.
“During Roadcheck, drivers will be pulled over and they’ll be asked to show their record-of-duty status,” Ferro said.
“They’ll be asked to show their medical qualification through their DOT certificate and they’ll be asked for their CDL. Sure hope they’re current. Sure hope they’re rested. Sure hope they’ve got it all in shape.”
