WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly 10,000 certified officers will disperse along North America’s highway system from June 6 to 8 for an annual safety sweep.

Roadcheck 2006 will combine the efforts of federal, state, provincial and local officers in around the clock North American Standard Inspections. The continuous 72-hour event will involve a comprehensive 37-step procedure which includes items related to vehicle, driver and cargo safety.

“Roadcheck is an important reminder of the critical role these officers play every day in the health and well-being of everyone who travels the highways,” said Stephen Campbell, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). “Lives are being saved because roadside inspections conducted by CVSA-certified inspectors take place every day throughout North America. The inspections conducted over the 3-day event in
2005 (61,278) resulted in 15 lives saved and 266 injuries avoided.”

Officers also will be giving drivers educational materials on various aspects of commercial vehicle, driver and hazardous materials safety.

As has been the case the last few years, Roadcheck 2006 will also focus on enforcement and education of safety belt use among commercial drivers. Although the latest FMCSA statistics indicate an increase in use from 48 to 54 per cent, this number is still far too low, according to the organization.

During Roadcheck 2005, 1,150 safety belt violations were documented during the 3-day event, versus 755 in 2004. In all of 2005, 57,510 safety belt violations were recorded against commercial drivers.

There are more than 3 million North American Standard roadside inspections conducted annually.