TORONTO, (June 7, 2005) — The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Roadcheck 2005 — the international truck and motorcoach safety event — kicks off today throughout North America.

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).

The 18th annual enforcement event, which runs until Thursday, highlights the importance of safety belts, motorcoach safety and commercial vehicle security. For 72 continuous hours throughout Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., inspection sites and roving highway patrols will inspect trucks and truckers for their mechanical and driving fitness.

Last year, 7,848 vehicles and drivers underwent full inspections with 6,145 passing the rigorous inspection standards. 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 — the most common infraction. Other defects include wheels, tires, frame and load security.

In total, 1,703 trucks (21.7 %) and 236 drivers (3 %) were placed out of service for various safety defects and violations in 2004.

The Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB) announced recently it will take part in the 2005 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.