070122_TT_AllPages

THETRUCKER.COM JULY 2022 • 21
FOCUS cont. from Page 15
A Level 2 inspection includes everything
in the Level 3 check — plus a “walk-around”
inspection of the vehicle. Most of what the
inspector looks at in a Level 2 should have
already been inspected by the driver in that
day’s pre-trip inspection. Tires and wheels
are one focus of the inspector, who looks for
flat or underinflated tires, loose lug nuts,
broken rims and other obvious problems.
A common violation is “chafing” air lines,
either behind the tractor or underneath
the trailer. Obvious issues, such as air
leaks, inoperative lighting and fifth-wheel
attachments, are easy for inspectors to
check.
All too often, pre-trip inspections turn
out to be paper exercises that don’t identify
issues often found by inspectors. Of course,
it’s possible for a tire to lose air or even go
flat without the driver’s knowledge, but
routine inspections will catch many issues
that inspectors end up writing up.
The Level 1 inspection is the most
comprehensive, featuring a complete vehicle
inspection around and under the unit,
along with everything included in the Level
2 inspection. This is where the inspector
literally gets down to the nuts and bolts.
Brakes, steering, suspension, fifth-wheel (if
equipped) — it’s all checked. You may be
asked to participate in the inspection by
turning lights on and off, applying the brake
pedal or other actions as directed.
Some inspectors will conduct the
inspection and hand you the form, while
others will take the time to point out each
violation and explain why they wrote it up.
While many drivers consider inspections
to be the heavy-handed application of
regulations by law enforcement agencies,
the reality is generally quite different.
The inspection criteria are developed by
the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
(CVSA), which is a partnership between
government agencies, manufacturers and
trucking community members. At regularly
scheduled meetings, experts discuss and
decide the criteria used to determine if
a part, for example, a slack adjuster on
a braking system, is within specs, out of
spec but not shutdown-worthy or calls for
immediate shutdown.
Passing a DOT inspection is much
more likely if you perform regular pretrip
inspections and quickly having
any discrepancies you find repaired.
Supplement these inspections with periodic
walk-arounds as you stop for breaks or other
reasons. A quick check of lights and tires
and help you identify issues early, rather
than waiting for the next pre-trip.
Checking your permit book — or bringing
it to the office of the carrier you drive for
periodically for review — helps you stay up
to date. Keeping it organized by replacing
expired permits with new ones and keeping
it neat and orderly helps.
Keep your load paperwork together
in one place, and keep it neat. If you haul
hazmat, the hazmat paperwork must be on
top or tabbed for quick identification, and it
must be left on the driver’s seat or in a door
pouch when you exit the vehicle.
Stay informed. Often, inspection
initiatives are focused on a particular item
such as brakes, and many are announced
in advance. While this doesn’t mean you
can ignore other systems or items, it can
help make sure you address what you know
inspectors will be looking for.
Finally, your attitude matters. The
inspector is doing a job, just as you are,
and that person in uniform is also a human
being. Expressing your frustration at
being stopped, arguing about violations
and generally being difficult won’t help
you pass. Being polite and respectful can
make a difference and marks you as a
professional. Arguing with the results won’t
get you anywhere, but politely asking for
clarification might.
If you know your vehicle is mechanically
sound and your paperwork is in order before
you start your day, your chances of passing
a DOT inspection increase and your day just
might go better. 8
Courtesy: CVSA via Facebook
During a Level 2 roadside inspection, officials conduct a “walk-around” inspection of the vehicle. Most of the items
checked should have already been inspected by the driver during the trip’s pre-check.. A Level 3 inspection deals
with the driver and compliance with the rules. The inspector will look at the driver’s CDL to determine that it’s valid
and is appropriate for the vehicle driven and the cargo being hauled.
SAFETY cont. from Page 15
out how to make that lane change in heavy
traffic, remember that the driver behind your
vehicle also wants to change lanes, and the
driver overtaking you in the lane needs to be
prepared for your maneuver. It’s important to
know what’s going on all around and to anticipate
the poor decisions of other drivers.
Finally, never allow impatience to dictate
your driving decisions. It’s easy to get frustrated
when attempting a turn or maneuver
when traffic isn’t cooperating. There is no
“long enough” when it comes to waiting for
a safe opportunity. Don’t let frustration make
driving decisions for you.
It helps to remember that your driving
decisions beget decisions by other motorists.
Your lane change, for example, can result in
those behind you also making lane changes
or changing speed in order to keep from being
behind you. Armed with that knowledge,
you can make better decisions that help
make the roads safer for everyone.
Stop for a minute and think about professional
auto racers. During many races, the
participants drive in ways that would be considered
extremely dangerous on the highway.
They drive aggressively at excessive speeds,
intentionally tailgating the vehicle in front.
When crashes occur, they can be spectacular,
yet some races feature hundreds of miles
of driving with few or even no crashes. Why?
As long as everyone is going the same
speed and direction, crashes don’t usually
happen. When someone changes direction,
pulling out to pass or perhaps trying to
quickly get to the pit lane, it creates a hazard
for everyone. Changing speeds, by accelerating
or by slowing due to a vehicle problem,
also creates risk on the track.
There’s a parallel in highway driving. If
everyone is traveling the same relative speed
and staying in their lane, things are safer. Let
someone slow down or change lanes, however,
and the risk of an accident rises.
If you must drive aggressively, make sure
you do it defensively. 8
LOVPB-0055_052722_5125x375_V1_L1.pdf 1 5/27/22 10:27 AM Marketplace
FOR
ADVERTISING INFO EMAIL MEGL@THETRUCKERMEDIA.COM
HOW WE HELP
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
MY
K
Provide financial assistance
to Class A, OTR drivers for
essential household expenses
when an illness or injury has
recently taken them off the road
Provide health & wellness
programs like Rigs Without Cigs
to prevent common diseases
and to encourage healthy habits
WITH
DRIVERS
HELPED
MILLION
PAID
DIRECTLY TO THEIR BILL HOLDERS
FOR HOME, UTILITIES, VEHICLE
AND INSURANCE
SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY. SUPPORT DRIVERS.
DONATE TODAY.
TRUCKERSFUND.ORG
CONNECT WITH US
@TRUCKERFUND