CVSA Roadcheck blitz begins

TORONTO — Drive carefully this weekend. Truck cops will be out in full force across North America for the annual 72-hour Roadcheck safety blitz.

Roadcheck, sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, mobilizes thousands of state and provincial inspectors and law enforcement officers between June 8 to 10 to more than 1,500 locations across the continent.

Inspectors target trucks and drivers for inspection based upon the safety record or previous inspection records of the motor carrier, the driver, or upon the observation skills of the trained inspectors.

This year, the campaign is arguably more significant than ever. That’s because, as we reported recently, what inspectors find, or don’t find, can affect your CSA 2010 ratings.

Last year’s enforcement blitz focused on the North American Standard Level I inspection, and once again the industry produced improved safety stats.

In 2009, CVSA reported an 82 percent compliance rate for vehicles and 97 percent compliance rate for drivers in targeted enforcement this year.

Here’s hoping this year’s Roadcheck is just as safe.