DOT Roadside Inspection Blitz Next Week

72 hour inspection blitz, May 16-18.

Perhaps some comments on how to prepare for this. And for those who have gone through inspections, how to successfully get through one.

Make sure your lights work, your tires are good and there are no leaks.

They tend to have a "focus" every year. Last year it was brakes

Make sure your dash is clear and you look professional. They judge a book by its cover, so present a sellable book.

Roadcheck 2023 will focus on anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and cargo securement.

Great story and well done for entering the challenge. Good luck.

Karen, have you had your coffee yet?

Bruce, Pacific Pearl gave you a gift. Now you know what they are focusing on this year.

I'll also share my personal observations on these annual blitz checks. Most of the time I never know they are even happening. I hear all about it but never see the evidence.

There have been a couple of years where it seemed everywhere I went they were checking trucks like crazy. So, it's sort of an accidental encounter. If you happen to be in the wrong place at the right time, you'll get examined.

Another observation is that they are looking for quick and easy citations. One of those is checking your e-logs for the shipping info. Some e-logs update this info automatically when dispatched. Most of them require the driver to update this with each new dispatch or trailer change. Make sure your current load and trailer are updated on your e-logs. That will save you some grief.

Old School,

I think Karen is an AI bot. She sure sounds like it.

When I was driving for Interide back in 2017, I was south in either Louisiana or Mississippi and got pulled in at a rest area where they set up shop to inspect trucks. They had four or five inspectors and parked a bunch of us behind that line of inspected trucks. After an hour, all of us that were parked got let go, so I never got inspected.

After having gone through multiple inspections while driving with Cheney, who ultimately had their door shut by DOT , I don't worry about inspections. Five inspections in 3.5 weeks, has me not fearing them at all. I'm very friendly to the inspector, because they are just doing their job. If we are doing our job by religiously checking our trucks, we will be fine. I've not met an inspector that I couldn't chat with once they were done with the inspection and all but one of them have been friendly.

Laura

I think Karen is an AI bot. She sure sounds like it.

Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you.

For me I started everyday of a blitz assuming I was going to get pulled over and inspected. So I made sure my truck was clean inside and out. Logs and in cab paperwork in order and ready to go. Clean dashboard. Look presentable. I always triple check tires, airlines, and made sure I wasn’t leaking any fluids. That’s really all you can do. Have the best attitude possible when it’s time.

That's what we need: another Karen.👍🤣🤣🤣

Don’t forget to have your paper logbook.

Also, everything needed within reach from the driver’s seat.