WASHINGTON, D. C. –The results of the North America-wide enforcement blitz known as Roadcheck are in -and they’re impressive.

Overall vehicle and driver out-of- service rates both declined this year, and seatbelt use increased according to results from the 72-hour blitz that took place June 2-4. About 17 trucks were inspected every minute in Canada, the US and Mexico, according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).

The overall compliance rate of 80.4% was the highest since 1996 and the overall driver compliance rate of 95.7% was the best ever, CVSA reports. For NAS Level 1 inspections, the compliance rate of 77.8% (vehicles) and 96.1% (drivers) was the best ever, representing 7.1% and 20.4% improvements respectively over last year’s results.

Meanwhile, seat belt violations were down 22.2% over last year.

“The commercial motor vehicle industry is proving the old adage that it pays to be safe,” said Darren Christle, CVSA president. “If you look at the data it clearly shows when carriers prepare for safety they will benefit not only by avoiding fines but by saving lives. It can be said that Roadcheck 2009 saved 17 lives and helped to avoid 307 injuries. Over the course of an entire year that equals 2,068 lives saved and 37,352 injuries avoided. By any measure those are big numbers, and the enforcement community should be proud of its accomplishments in this regard.”

In Canada, the news was even better, with Canadian carriers exceeding the North America-wide averages. In Canada, 82% of vehicles and 97% of drivers inspected were found to be in compliance.

“Roadcheck figures since 2007 show small but consistent improvements in vehicle mechanical fitness and driver condition in the industry,” said Canadian Trucking Alliance CEO, David Bradley. “Despite enormous pressures on the bottom line of carriers as a result of this fiscal downturn, these Roadcheck figures are a shining example that the industry has the best people behind the wheel; support, maintenance and operations staff dedicated to safety and industry leaders that are firmly committed to investing in road safety.”

A complete breakdown of Roadcheck2009 is as follows:

Driver results:

All inspections: 95.6% of drivers passed, and 4.4% were placed out of service (5.3% were out of service in 2008).

All Level 1 inspections: 96.1% of drivers passed, and 3.9% were placed out of service (4.9% were out of service in 2008).

HazMat: 97% of drivers passed, and 3% were placed out of service (2.4% were out of service in 2008).

Vehicle results:

All inspections: 80.4% of vehicles passed, and 19.6% were placed out of service (20.8% were out of service in 2008).

All Level 1 inspections: 77.8% of vehicles passed, and 22.2% were placed out of service (23.9% were out of service in 2008).

HazMat: 83% of vehicles passed the inspection, and 17% were placed out of service (17.6% were out of service in 2008). •