WASHINGTON, (May 4, 2005) — Roadcheck 2005, the 18th annual international truck and motorcoach safety and security event, will take place June 7-9 for 72 continuous hours throughout Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

This year’s event highlights the importance of safety belts, motorcoach safety and commercial vehicle security. The annual event — which involves inspection sites and roving patrols along North America’s highways — is about protecting people and making our highways a safer, says the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

The CVSA sponsors the annual Roadchecks with participation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, Transportation Security Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and the Secretariat of Communication and Transportation (Mexico).

Additionally, the Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB) has announced it will take part in the inspection program.

As part of the safety inspections, drivers will be given information from TRIB which details the importance of proper tire inflation and provides recommendations on how to correctly check tire pressure. Harvey Brodsky, Managing Director of TRIB, expects that TRIB will distribute 60,000 handouts at more than 68 inspection locations throughout North America.

“TRIB’s intent is to help educate truck and bus drivers about the extreme importance of maintaining the proper inflation pressure for a given tire size and load,” Brodsky said. “This is the single most critical factor for getting the safest — and longest — life out of tires. It also makes them more retreadable.”

Many truckers believe they can accurately estimate inflation pressure by kicking, thumping or banging a tire, he observed. “The truth is, trying to determine if tires need air by doing that is as effective as trying to determine if a vehicle’s engine needs oil by thumping on it’s hood.”