BETHESDA, Md. (July 15, 2003) — Logbook violations and brake-related problems once again were the top reasons drivers and their vehicles were placed out of service during last month’s Roadcheck inspection blitz.

More than 60,000 roadside inspections were conducted across Canada and the United States during this year’s event, held June 3-5. Nearly 23 per cent of vehicles inspected were placed out of service (OOS) for mechanical problems, nearly unchanged from 2002, reported the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, an organization of motor vehicle enforcement agencies.

Brake problems topped the list of reasons vehicles were placed OOS, comprising 55 per cent of all vehicle OOS violations. Almost 30 per cent of all vehicle OOS violations resulted from improper brake adjustment; an additional 25 per cent resulted from other brake system defects.

Lighting violations accounted for 11.8 per cent; tires/wheels, 9 per cent; load securement, 6.4 per cent; suspension, 5.2 per cent; steering, 2.3 per cent; frame, 2 per cent.

For drivers, the 5-per-cent OOS rate was down from 5.7 per cent last year. A total of 57.9 per cent of drivers placed OOS had hours-of-service violations, with an added 11.1 per cent placed OOS for falsifying their records of duty status.

For hazardous materials inspections this year, the OOS rates for vehicles increased over 2002 numbers (17 to 20.2 per cent) and stayed the same for drivers (2.4 percent). For motorcoach inspections, the OOS rates for vehicles and drivers both decreased from 2002 to 2003 (11.7 to 9.5 and 8.7 to 1.7 per cent, respectively).

Roadchecks have been conducted annually since 1988. They are organized by the CVSA with participation from federal, state, and provincial enforcement agencies in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.