The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance will put a special emphasis on cargo securement in this year’s International Roadcheck, scheduled for June 6-8.

During the three-day event, CVSA-certified commercial vehicle inspectors around North America will conduct inspections of commercial vehicles and their drivers. Each year a category of violations is given specific attention, and this year’s focus is on cargo securement.

While checking for cargo securement is always part of a roadside inspection, the CVSA is highlighting the issue as a reminder of its importance on highway safety.

Inspectors will primarily be conducting the North American Standard level 1 Inspection, which is the most thorough roadside inspection. The inspection is a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of both drivers and vehicle fitness. Drivers must provide items such as a driver’s license, hours-of-service documentation, motor carrier registration, and shipping documentation. They will also be checked for seat belt usage and drug or alcohol use.

The vehicle portion of the inspection will include checking brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft, exhaust systems, frames, fuel systems, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, van and open-top trailer bodies, wheels, rims and hubs, and windshield wipers.

CVSA says the International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 17 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico during a 72-hour period. Since its inception, more than 1.5 million roadside inspections have been conducted during International Roadcheck campaigns.

Roadcheck is a CVSA program with participation by the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation in Mexico.

For more information on the program, click here.