DOT Roadside Inspection Blitz Next Week

Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you.

Really??!! How do you figure that?

We've received numerous messages about it. I just keep driving and doing my pre trips as well, my logs are tidy and our zonar updates the shipping info now.

It is something of a concern though as a fair number of our trailers have abs light issues, if not issues with the system. I can't dig it up right now but one of the messages said specifically to have the trailer inspected and serviced if the light comes on for any reason this week coming up.

For those who may not know, what was mentioned about having the correct trailer and BOL number entered in the e-log is not something to take lightly. It is a violation to not have the correct trailer number AND/OR the correct BOL number entered. It's a form and manner violation. It affects a companies CSA score to have too many violations of this type, which affects how often the DriveWyze system will tell you to pull into an open weigh station, versus bypassing an open one. Being cited for a form and manner violation goes on the driver's record, also. Any fine will depend on the state in which the violation occurs. It's one of the easiest violations to get hit on and one of the easiest to avoid.

Speaking of ABS, something many drivers don't know is the ABS lamp needs to actually be labeled. Dot loves that one around here.

What's up BK?

WOW. They give 15MPH before parting ways? Speeding is my biggest gripe in driving, trucking or not. It's the easiest thing to control and the single most common characteristic in fatal crashes. Followed very closely by truckers who tailgate 4-wheelers trying to push them out of the way - also very common among crashes. But I digress.

The blitz is here. Last week while traveling between central PA and upstate new york I went through several pop-up checkpoints. I think they were practicing for next week. In NY they were set up at the text/rest stops. On 390 W at the exit 7 rest stop, they had the creepers and toolboxes set up in 5 parking spots (all full).

Ironically, the last 4 trailers I've picked up for our company have all had about to, or expired annual DOT inspections. Two of them had malfunctioning ABS. That is not typical of our trailers.

How do I prepare? This is my second year driving during the blitz. I double-checked that I have my current insurance card, my medical card, vehicle registration (check every trailer too), fire extinguisher is in the green and secured, the 3 reflective triangles are in working order, and I have spare fuses.

In addition; I completed a pre-trip inspection as if I was a DOT officer in a bad mood while inspecting the truck of a driver who was caught speeding at 52 MPH in a 45 MPH construction zone.

Be safe out there and

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.

Bill, that’s a real good list of stuff to have and to check before getting an inspection. Thanks for the info.

And I was just up on Interstate 81 a few days ago and I had to go into two of those temporary inspection set-ups like you describe. They had a few trucks parked and were inspecting them. They were all shabby looking equipment. I got waved through, probably because my truck and trailer are almost as good looking as I am, lol.

My back haul will take me back the same route today, but being the weekend I doubt I will see the same set up.

Biggies:

Don't forget a blank paper logbook. All truck stops sell these.

Have an instruction card for transferring the ELD HOS information to law enforcement.

Make sure the trailer registration is there AND current.

Know what you are hauling in that trailer you have. Some BOLs are all numbers or codes.

If an officer approaches your window, keep your seatbelt on so you can prove you were wearing it.

Don't touch your phone during the inspection.

Log yourself "On Duty" during the inspection.

"Yes Sir, No Sir, Thank You" responses. This is The Principal's Office.

Just curious, do the inspectors set up inspection operations at night during this blitz, or is it only.during the day?

I have never in 9 years seen them setup at night. They surely can, but I haven’t seen it.

A couple years ago, Indiana was doing inspections at 2 or 3 in the morning.