How Commercial Vehicle Testing Ensures Road Safety

Commercial vehicle testing is a mandatory process of inspecting a vehicle and its roadworthiness for commercial purposes. The purpose of commercial vehicle testing is to ensure safety. In this case study, we will describe the methodologies, standards, and impact of commercial vehicle testing. Additionally, we will highlight how vehicle testing has been minimizing road accidents and fostering a safer transportation ecosystem.

There are some regulatory bodies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the United States and the European Union’s General Safety Regulation (GSR) who mandate these tests to reduce risks associated with mechanical failures, driver fatigue, and environmental hazards.

What is a Commercial Vehicle Safety Inspection?

A commercial vehicle safety inspection is a thorough examination of a commercial vehicle to ensure that it is in compliance with safety regulations. Commercial vehicle testing is mainly done for trucks, buses, and vans, by checking their key safety components. Through testing brakes, tires, lights, and chassis, it can be assured that the automotive meets required standards and is safe to operate on the road. The inspections can be performed as part of daily pre-operational checks, periodic technical inspections, or roadside inspections by authorities.

Why is Commercial Vehicle Safety Inspection Important?

Commercial vehicle safety inspections are critical for a number of reasons. First and foremost, they help to ensure that commercial vehicles are safe to operate on the road. By identifying potential safety issues before they become serious problems, inspections can prevent accidents and save lives.

In addition, commercial vehicle safety inspections are required by law in many jurisdictions. In the United States, for example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires regular safety inspections for all commercial vehicles operating in interstate commerce.

Finally, regular safety inspections can help to prevent costly repairs and downtime. By identifying and addressing safety issues early on, you can avoid more extensive repairs and keep your vehicles on the road.

Key Factors of Commercial Vehicle Safety

Beside everything else, drivers are ultimately responsible for operating commercial vehicles safely and responsibly. 

Therefore, fostering a culture of safety within the transportation industry is essential. 

This involves not only providing drivers with the necessary training and resources but also promoting attitudes and behaviors that prioritize safety above all else.

The Role of Regulations and Compliance 

Government regulations and industry standards play a crucial role in regulating the operation of commercial vehicles and ensuring compliance with safety requirements. 

Regulations cover various aspects such as driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and load securement. 

Compliance with these regulations is essential for minimizing risks and preventing accidents. 

Companies that prioritize safety and compliance demonstrate their commitment to protecting their drivers, other road users, and the environment.

Tips for Ensuring Commercial Vehicle Safety

While safety inspections are a critical part of maintaining commercial vehicle safety, there are other steps you can take to ensure that your vehicles are operating safely. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Conduct Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance is critical for ensuring that commercial vehicles are operating safely. This includes routine oil changes, tire rotations, and other maintenance tasks recommended by the manufacturer.

Train Drivers on Safety

In addition to regular maintenance, it’s important to train your drivers on safe driving practices. This can include defensive driving techniques, how to perform pre-trip inspections, and other safety-related topics.

Use Safety Equipment

Commercial vehicles should be equipped with a range of safety equipment, including reflective tape, warning triangles, and fire extinguishers. Make sure that all safety equipment is properly maintained and accessible to drivers.

Monitor Driver Performance

Finally, it’s important to monitor driver performance to ensure that they are operating safely. This can include monitoring driving habits, checking driver logs, and conducting regular driver safety meetings.

Driver Inspections

In addition to regular safety inspections, it’s important for drivers to conduct their own inspections before each trip. These inspections are designed to identify any safety issues that may have arisen since the last safety inspection and to ensure that the vehicle is in compliance with safety regulations.

Pre-trip inspection:

Tires: Check for proper inflation, tread depth, and any signs of damage or wear.

Wheels: The wheels should be inspected for proper operation and should be in good condition. This includes checking the lug nuts for correct tension, and the rims, hubs, and bearings.

Lights: Ensure that all lights are working properly, including headlights, turn signals, brake lights, and hazard lights.

Service Brakes: The service brakes should be inspected for proper operation and should be in good condition. The brake linings, pads, and drums should also be inspected for wear and damage.

Parking Brake: The parking brake should be inspected for proper operation and should be in good condition. This includes checking the brake cables, brake shoes, and brake drums.

Fuel System: The fuel system should be inspected for leaks and damage. This includes checking the fuel tank, fuel lines, and fuel injectors.

Exhaust System: The exhaust system should be inspected for leaks and damage. This includes checking the exhaust manifold, muffler, and exhaust pipes.

Steering: Check for any signs of wear or damage to the steering system.

Suspension: Check for any signs of wear or damage to the suspension system.

Horn: Ensure that the horn is working properly.

Mirrors: Check that all mirrors are properly adjusted and free of cracks or damage.

Seat Belts: The seat belts in the commercial vehicle should be inspected for proper operation and should be in good condition.

Windshield Wipers: The windshield wipers should be inspected for proper operation and should be in good condition. The wiper blades should also be checked for wear and damage.

Driveline/Driveshaft: Visually inspect the drive shaft for any signs of damage or wear, including dents, cracks, or missing components. Also, check for any loose or missing bolts or other fasteners that secure the drive shaft to the transmission and rear axle.

Emergency Equipment: Ensure the vehicle has fire extinguishers that are easily accessible and in good working condition, warning devices like reflective triangles or flares in case of a breakdown or accident, spare fuses and bulbs for blown fuses or bulbs, and a first aid kit that is easily accessible in case of injury.

Post-Trip Inspection:

At the end of each trip, the driver should perform a post-trip inspection to identify any issues that may have arisen during the trip. This inspection should include a visual check of the same items as the pre-trip inspection, as well as a check of the cargo and any tie-downs.

It’s important to note that these inspections are not a substitute for regular safety inspections performed by certified inspectors. However, they can help to identify potential safety issues before they become serious problems, and they can help to ensure that the vehicle is in compliance with safety regulations.

Recording and Documenting Inspections

It’s important to keep a record of all pre-trip and post-trip inspections, as well as any repairs or maintenance performed on the commercial vehicle. This documentation serves as proof of compliance with safety regulations and can be useful in the event of an accident or other legal dispute. Here are some guidelines for recording and documenting inspections:

Inspection Reports: Commercial vehicle drivers should complete a written inspection report at the end of each day of operation. This report should document any defects or safety issues identified during the pre-trip or post-trip inspection.

Maintenance and Repair Records: All maintenance and repair work performed on the commercial vehicle should be recorded in a maintenance log or service record. This log should include the date, the nature of the work performed, and the name of the person or company that performed the work.

Retention Period: Inspection reports and maintenance records should be retained for a minimum of six months, although some jurisdictions may require a longer retention period.

Electronic Records: Some commercial vehicle operators may choose to use electronic record-keeping systems to document inspections and maintenance. These systems should be designed to comply with all relevant regulations and should be backed up regularly to prevent data loss.

Auditing: Commercial vehicle operators should periodically audit their inspection and maintenance records to ensure that they are complete, accurate, and up-to-date.

How Vehicle Testing Can Reduce The Risk?

Pre-Operational Inspections:

Focus on ensuring critical components such as brakes, tires, lights, and steering systems are in optimal condition before the vehicle is deployed.

These checks are often performed daily by operators and monthly by certified inspectors.

Periodic Technical Inspections (PTI):

Comprehensive assessments mandated annually or semi-annually, depending on jurisdiction.

Includes emission control checks, structural integrity tests, and safety system functionality evaluations.

On-Road Testing:

Real-world simulations to assess vehicle performance under typical operational conditions.

Includes brake efficiency, suspension response, and fuel efficiency analysis.

Advanced Technology Integration:

Incorporation of telematics and diagnostic tools for continuous monitoring.

Automated systems flag potential mechanical issues, prompting timely maintenance.

Nuclear Verdicts  

Nuclear Verdicts are verdicts in trucking where the damages exceed direct costs by at least two to three times. Nuclear and large-scale are on the up both in terms of the number and the size of verdicts and their impact cannot be underestimated. Carriers and logistics operators throughout the country are rightly concerned and many are questioning whether the phenomenon is out of control.  

Lawsuits abound 

A recent incident was the horrific chain reaction crash involving 133 vehicles on I-35W in Fort Worth, TX. The crash took place in February in icy and wet conditions and six people sadly lost their lives, with others injured.  Within two weeks and in the first of what is expected to be many lawsuits, a long list of allegations was leveled at the trucking companies involved. Plaintiffs are looking to apportion blame based on what’s come to be known as the ‘Dirty Five’ risk factors.

The Dirty Five 

When trucking incidents reach the courtroom, Plaintiffs look to demonstrate operator fault and therefore liability. Often, verdicts are based not so much on the actual crash but the overall operation of the carrier. The ‘Dirty Five’ are the key areas they tend to focus on.  

The ‘dirty five’ generally refer to: 

Fatigue/ hours of service 

Distracted driving (& particularly cell phones) 

Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol  

Lack of equipment maintenance 

Inexperienced/improperly trained drivers. 

 Any operator wanting to avoid large-scale verdicts in the event of a collision must demonstrate these allegations to be inaccurate. Here is where data and good operating procedures are crucial – data becomes proof.  Every time you put a vehicle on the road, you become a target. 

 Prevention is key to Fleet Risk Management  

If carriers want to avoid the courtroom, ensuring they can prove the Dirty Five are not at play is a sensible place to start for prevention measures.  

Not only does it provide safeguards in the event of collisions and incidents, mitigating these ‘red flag’ risks goes a long way to improving truck fleet and vehicle safety. In order to mitigate risk we must first understand it. 

 Understanding, predicting, and minimizing risk is fundamentally important – and it can be lifesaving.  

 Many years serving fleets showed our founders that the gaps in the data available left carriers exposed. CameraMatics was developed as an end-to-end solution to address and mitigate the many risks fleet operators are open to. This is about far more than keeping out of the courtroom – a safer, smarter and more efficient fleet is an all round good investment.  

 Fleet Risk Management Technology saves lives – and businesses. 

 Customers using our Fleet Safety Centre would quickly be able to demonstrate a safety culture, and potentially avoid such claims if all elements of the CameraMatics platform were being used. Used to its fulness, CameraMatics addresses the Dirty Five – and provides verified evidence. 

CameraMatics is a modular software platform based on camera technology, vision systems, AI, Machine Learning, tracking and Telematics, combined with proprietary fleet safety modules. The complete system includes verified Vehicle Checking and Compliance, Maintenance scheduling as well as ADAS and DMS technologies providing live in-cab coaching and alerts including for distracted driving, fatigue and lane departure. Live and historic video is a powerful tool for driver training and allows fleet managers to properly train drivers and review incidents.  

Sample of Case Examples

Reduction in Brake-Related Accidents:

In a study conducted by the FMCSA, implementing rigorous brake system testing protocols led to a 25% reduction in brake-related accidents over five years. The introduction of electronic braking systems further improved stopping distances, significantly enhancing safety.

Emission Testing and Environmental Benefits:

In the European Union, the GSR mandated real-driving emissions (RDE) testing for commercial vehicles. This initiative resulted in a 30% decrease in nitrogen oxide emissions, contributing to cleaner air and compliance with international environmental agreements.

Conclusion

It is well acknowledged that a combination of planning and technology are the keys to mitigating risk, improving safety and avoiding large-scale and nuclear verdicts – CameraMatics is a solution which helps carriers do both.