TORONTO, Ont. — Today marks the beginning of the North America-wide commercial vehicle inspection blitz dubbed Roadcheck.

The 72-hour blitz will see thousands of commercial vehicles inspected at inspection sites along North American highways.

“Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) inspectors work diligently every day to ensure that the commercial vehicles using our highways do so as safely as possible,” said Stephen A. Keppler, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s executive director. “While a significant majority of vehicle operators are highly responsible, conscientious, and safe; a few in the minority are less so. CMV inspectors provide a vital service to check driver and vehicle safety fitness to help keep our roads safe and clear from preventable crashes, backups, and a needless loss of lives.”

Since its inception in 1988, the CVSA’s Roadcheck has resulted in more than a million inspections. This year’s focus – at least south of the border – will be on carriers of household goods who may be using improperly marked rental vehicles and operating as a property carrier rather than a household goods carrier, the CVSA noted.

The FMCSA has noticed a disproportionate drop in HHG carrier registrations and now believes some HHG carriers are commercially moving household goods in unmarked rental or leased vehicles or in vans/trailers that are marked but with an improper authority.

“Expanding this year’s Roadcheck to include household goods movers, along with trucks and buses, reflects our strong commitment to stepping up commercial vehicle safety enforcement and saving lives on our nation’s roadways,” said Anne S. Ferro, administrator for FMCSA. “We want every commercial motor carrier and driver to embrace safety as their number one priority. Roadcheck drives home this lifesaving message.”