John G. Smith is Newcom Media's vice-president - content and design, and previously served as the editorial director of Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, and Transport Routier. The award-winning journalist began covering the trucking industry in 1995.
Ep 14: Brake Components
Brakes continue to be the main source of defects identified during roadside inspections. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore the related components including brake chambers, slack adjusters and more. And do you know the size of chamber you have? It makes a difference.
Ep 13: Steering Components
Inspectors aren't looking at fluid levels when they pop open the hood during a Level 1 inspection. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, discuss the search for major defects including the steering components, pitman arm, suspension, brake chamber and more.
Ep 12: Right Saddle Tank
When inspectors approach the right saddle tank on a truck, they are looking for more than potential fuel leaks. This is also where they are looking for signs of exhaust leaks -- and not all of them are created equal. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, discuss the difference between major and minor defects.
Ep 11: Trailer Rear
Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, stop at the rear of a trailer during a Level 1 inspection, to discuss the factors that enforcement teams are looking for at this location. Learn about lighting, doors, conspicuity markings, and more.
Ep 2: Minor vs Major Defects
Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore the differences between major defects -- that immediately ground a vehicle -- and the identified minor defects that will allow trucks to continue their journey.
Ep 3: The Paperwork
A driver's paperwork confirms everything from personal credentials to vehicle registration, pre-trip inspection results and more. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore the items that inspectors look for during a roadside inspection.
Ep 4: First Things First
Every Level 1 Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance inspection begins with the same series of steps. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore what will happen when you pull into a roadside inspection facility.
Ep 5: The Front of the Truck
Did you know the time of day can make a difference in whether a lighting problem is a major or minor defect? Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, answer these questions and more when stopping at the front of a truck during a CVSA Level 1 inspection.
Ep 6: Wheel Ends
Ontario currently has zero tolerance for wheel-related defects. But wherever you operate, wheels will be a part of a roadside inspection. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore what inspectors are looking for when they stop at a wheel end during a Level 1 inspection.
Ep 7: The Fuel Tank
Every driver needs to monitor their fuel, but they also need to keep a watchful eye on fuel and DEF tanks. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore what inspectors are looking for when they visit fuel tanks, steps, and air system gladhands.
Ep 8: The Duals
Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, stop at a dual wheel assembly during a Level 1 inspection. There, they search for potential issues involving tire condition, spring hangers, fifth wheels and more.
Thunder Bay truck vote pushed to September
THUNDER BAY, ON - A vote on proposed truck restrictions in Thunder Bay, Ontario will now be held in September, as the local business community pushes against plans that would close much of Arthur Street and Dawson Road (Highway 102) to anything above 15,000 kilograms.
Video series highlights each step in Level 1 inspection
TORONTO, ON - Today's Trucking has rolled out a 20-part video series featuring each of the stops in a Level 1 roadside inspection conducted by Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) enforcement teams. John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and CVSA instructor, highlight the differences between major and minor defects, and offer an in-depth look at all the related components along the way.
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