WASHINGTON, D.C. –The results for Roadcheck 2010, the annual North American roadside safety inspection blitz, were essentially steady with last year’s numbers, showing that 80% of commercial vehicles inspected successfully passed.

The event, conducted by enforcement agencies in Canada, the US and Mexico from June 8-10, is coordinated each year by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) in partnership with CCMTA member-jurisdictions.

While slightly higher than last year’s figure of 17.8%, organizers say this year’s average vehicle out-of-service rate of 20% continues an overall downward trend in the national OOS rate over the past several years. The average Canadian vehicle out-of-service rate in 2010 was just slightly higher than the North American average at 20.3%.

Inspections were conducted at 158 sites across all Canadian jurisdictions, with those vehicles not bearing a valid inspection decal subjected to the most comprehensive and stringent of the CVSA on-road inspection procedures.

Over the three-day event, 7,311 Canadian vehicles and drivers underwent full inspections for mechanical and driver fitness.

Of those, 5,848 vehicles and 7,112 drivers passed CVSA’s rigorous roadside inspection criteria. Inspectors issued 6,911 new decals to individual trucks, trailers and passenger-carrying vehicles across Canada, signifying CVSA’s highest degree of safety and mechanical fitness.

In total, 1,434 trucks, 29 passenger-carrying vehicles and 199 drivers were placed out of service for various safety defects and violations. An out-of-service condition can occur for infractions as simple as a rear signal light not working to the extreme of faulty steering or brakes. Other defects may include wheels, tires, frame and load security.

In many cases, drivers are able to make the necessary adjustments on site, are re-inspected and continue on their way.

A total of 2.7% of drivers were placed out-of-service for logbook, driver qualification or paperwork problems, a slight improvement over past figures.

“The event is dedicated to enhancing knowledge, regulatory compliance and performance of commercial vehicle braking systems,” Roadcheck officials said in a release. “Enforcement and industry officials know that education and awareness are key to improving commercial vehicle safety. All industry players -carriers, drivers and enforcement officials -are urged to continue working together to achieve a further sustained drop in the out-of-service rate nationwide in the years ahead.”

Since brake-related defects continue to account for close to half of all out-of-service violations, CVSA Region V officials are encouraging governments, industry associations and individual carriers and drivers to take an active part in the upcoming 2010 Brake Safety Week Sept. 12-18.