Part of the Bigger Picture

This month the Public Service Commission’s Transportation Officers are going to participate in an annual event known as the International Roadcheck, sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. International Roadcheck runs for 72 consecutive hours, from midnight Tuesday, May 16 through midnight on Thursday, May 18.

During those hours, every commercial motor vehicle that crosses the border from one state to another must pass through a weigh station for inspection. In West Virginia, the PSC operates the weigh stations. That means our officers will be conducting stringent Level One inspections on the vehicles and on the drivers’ records.

Although these inspections cover every aspect of vehicle safety, every year has a specific focus. This year the emphasis is on anti-lock braking systems and cargo securement. Anti-lock brakes are a critical component in truck safety. They reduce the risk of collisions by preventing the wheels from locking up or skidding. This gives the driver better control over the vehicle while braking. Proper cargo securement is also vitally important. A load that is not securely loaded and strapped down hampers the vehicle’s maneuverability and can cause unsecured loads to fall onto the roadway. That creates a huge traffic hazard and can also cause vehicle collisions.

Many vehicles and drivers are taken out of service during International Roadcheck. They are not allowed back on the road until the violations have been corrected and everything is back in full compliance. On the other hand, vehicles that successfully pass a Level One or Level Five Inspection without any critical violations may receive a CVSA decal, which is valid for three months. That rewards good behavior and keeps the traffic moving smoothly.

The thing that makes International Roadcheck so effective is that it isn’t just happening in our state, or even our country.  It really is international. It is observed over the same consecutive 72-hour period in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Every state participates.  Well, maybe not Hawaii. There’s not a lot of interstate truck traffic in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

I just want you to know that, here in the Mountain State, the PSC’s officers will be doing their part to keep you and yours safe while you journey over our highways.