The CVSA International Roadcheck is June 4-6. This year, the focus will be on suspensions, systems, and steering — all critical components to safe braking and accelerating, and for keeping trucks safe on the road.

“Steering and suspension are safety critical systems for any commercial motor vehicle. Not only do they support the heavy loads carried by trucks and buses, but they also help maintain stability and control under acceleration and braking, keeping the vehicle safely on the road,” said Jay Thompsonm — CVSA president and chief with the Arkansas Highway Police — in a press release.

What does CVSA Roadcheck mean for carriers?

Inspections are not new for carriers, but the increased frequency during Roadcheck week causes delays and the possibility of violations for even the safest and most prepared carriers.

The CVSA recently implemented new “out of service” guidelines and, according to the organization, “those violations render the driver, vehicle and/or motor carrier out of service until the condition(s) or violation(s) can be corrected or repaired.”

The CVSA estimates there are on average 17 inspections of trucks and buses each minute during Roadcheck. Last year, there were 67,103 inspections. A full 21% of carriers failed their inspections.

To help you successfully navigate this process, follow these five tips to help you prepare for Roadcheck:

1. Focus on your “pre-trip.” You want your trucks to be in inspection-ready condition at all times. This means checking systems and items to make sure they are in good shape. These include but aren’t limited to:
   • brake systems
   • cargo securement
   • coupling devices
   • driveline/driveshaft
   • exhaust systems and frames
   • fuel systems
   • lighting devices (headlamps, tail lamps, etc.)
   • steering mechanisms and suspensions
   • tires
   • windshield wipers
2. Have the necessary paperwork. Again, this is just a best practice to practice at all times while you’re behind the wheel. Be sure to have your:
   • Driver’s license
   • Medical Examiner’s Certificate
   • Skill Performance Evaluation Certificate (if applicable)
   • Driver’s record of duty status
   • Hours of service log
   • Prior vehicle inspection report(s) (if applicable)
3. Know the signs of steering and suspension issues. FleetOwner shares this tip: When your truck is in the shop for regularly scheduled maintenance or for a repair, be sure to have your technician check your steering and suspension components and systems. Issues may not be readily visible, so be aware of the signs of issues. They include:
   • Unusual noise when turning, applying the brakes, accelerating, or driving over bumps
   • Excessive play or binding in the steering wheel
   • The vehicle wandering, pulling to one side or back and forth while being driven
   • Rough steering or vibration
   • A vehicle leaning to one side
   • Uneven tire wear
4. Double check your rear guard. According to FreightWaves, rear trailer guides are high on the CVSA’s inspection list. Before heading out on the road, repair any damage and make sure everything is in working order to avoid getting an out-of-service penalty.
5. Convoy can help! Take advantage of better load selection during Roadcheck, since others will be sitting on the sidelines. You can book loads and keep track of  rates using the Convoy app. Prices typically increase during Roadcheck week, so you open the app and get access to great loads.

Carriers – get instant access to all loads in the Convoy network here.

Shippers – want to get ahead of Roadcheck Week 2019? Contact your account representative, or visit the shipper hub.

The post 5 Ways for Carriers to Prepare for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Road Check 2019 appeared first on Convoy.

For Episode 6 of Convoy Radio, we discuss the DRIVE-Safe Act. The Act seeks to change the driving age from 21 to 18 for interstate transit. Convoy Director of Quality and Compliance Lorin Seeks provides a comprehensive understanding of the Act and how it impacts those in the industry. Seeks brings over 20 years of logistics experience as the Senior Manager for Global Logistics at Starbucks and more. We dive into both sides of the DRIVE-Safe Act, how it impacts drivers and business owners, and how the bill can create career options for young adults.

“The DRIVE-Safe Act is a great way to bring young people into the industry and get the training needed to be a safe driver,” said Seeks.

Subscribe to Convoy Radio on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, and Stitcher — and be on the lookout for new episodes dropping every Tuesday.

For questions or comments, email the Convoy Radio crew at podcast@convoy.com or tweet at @ConvoyTeam using #convoyradio.

The post Convoy Radio: Discussing the DRIVE-Safe Act with Director of Quality and Compliance Lorin Seeks appeared first on Convoy.

With hosts Jake Henderson and Michael Lewis, Convoy Radio connects with a variety of voices from the trucking world. Hear from an owner-operator who built his own trucking company — and get an inside look at the latest in technology, legislative issues, road safety, supply chain management, and more. In our first season, we have guests from major carriers, independent owner-operators, major shippers, freight transportation researchers, and much more.

Subscribe to Convoy Radio on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, and Stitcher — and be on the lookout for new episodes dropping every Tuesday.

Episode 1: Owning the Road with Steve Gordon

Episode 0: Introducing Convoy Radio

For questions or comments, email the Convoy Radio crew at podcast@convoy.com or tweet at @ConvoyTeam using #convoyradio.

The post Introducing Convoy Radio, a podcast for truckers appeared first on Convoy.

We care about the people who drive Convoy-matched loads, and we’re committed to doing our part to contribute to a safer industry. Convoy sets the safety bar higher than most brokers nationally. We want the people hauling Convoy loads to be safe for themselves and everyone else on the road.

We understand the effort and dedication it takes to run a safe operation, which is why we’re so excited to celebrate our top carriers’ hard work to foster a culture focused on safety.

Celebrating safe carriers

We recently honored over 100 of the top carriers in our network for their consistent safety practices. Throughout Q4 of 2018, these carriers exceeded our compliance and quality standards.

To have the safest carrier network in the industry, we continually measure multiple facets of safety and quality scores. Through continuous monitoring, automated input from industry sources, customer feedback, and strict safety score standards, we maintain a data-driven process to identify the best and safest Convoy carriers.

We make sure carriers are compliant with our safety standards before every load, whether they’ve taken 7 or 700 loads with us.

These carriers completed over 3,500 loads, drove over 1.4 million miles, and are based in over 20 states.

Safety Tips from Carriers

A few of our award recipients shared their best tips for making safety a top priority.

Allyson from Phoenix Truck Lines says, “Safety is discussed during orientation when a new driver is hired as well as continuously throughout their employment. Safety is about hiring the right drivers and trusting their opinions around when it is safe to operate or not.”

Ray from S&H Trucking shared that vehicle maintenance is a key factor in keeping strong safety scores. “Trucks are checked after every load, and if there is an issue it is immediately flagged to our mechanic. We also keep spare trucks to use while others are being repaired.”

Roberto from Reyn Transportation Inc. said,  “Safety is about respecting the job that we do. We want to get the job done at any cost, but no matter the job, we always have to take the public into consideration. If we are behind in a job, we are late, there is no getting around that. Better to be late than to risk people’s safety on the road. Weather will always be the key factor of how you behave on the road. Better late than never, has always been my motto, when there is rain or snow, you have to adjust your driving, many if not all of the public is not trained to deal with adverse weather conditions. You have to be on the lookout for you and the public.”

These carriers continue to raise the bar and impact the industry. Congrats to all of our carriers who received this award. Thank you for your hard work and keeping our roads safer!

Carriers – interested in a hassle-free experience, automated detention, free quick pay, and unique offerings such as Request-A-Load? Learn more on Fleet Cards, or call us at 206-202-5645.

Shippers – interested in learning more about our industry-leading tender compliance, on-time service, and data-driven insights? Request a demo.

The post Convoy Honors Over 100 Carriers With New Safety Award appeared first on Convoy.