Far be it for me to be the "voice of reason" in the ever-changing world of compliance within the trucking industry. I was always under the assumption that truck drivers were expected to run compliant and legal at all times, not just during a specific 72-hour window every year! It still surprises me however, the amount of people I see posting on social media that say they are taking a “Roadcheck Vacation” for the inspection spree that started yesterday and ends tomorrow.
It makes perfect sense to me that this could become a problem with the potential to grow very large, with there already being a capacity crunch in our industry. If this escalating trend continues, many unfit carriers may continue to park trucks during the announced Roadcheck blitz every year. Not that I’m complaining about its impact on rates though, as I usually see a spike during this time each year. Whether it is improperly licensed drivers, or equipment that is in poor condition, it is unfair that these people get to continue operating in this fashion while legitimately safe carriers face the gauntlet year after year.
I applaud each and every driver and owner-operator out there who continues to operate safely through Roadcheck 2018, knowing well enough that enforcement is being beefed-up in all areas and that they are focusing mainly on the new ELD’s and HOS violations. In all my years of driving, I have always operated under the assumption that every day should be "Blitz Day"! Dodging scales and always having to be on the lookout for DOT is never a good choice in becoming a successful trucking company!
Not that I am for secrecy as a useful measure, but perhaps the advanced notification of this entire road check every year should be done away with, in an effort to help curb this so-called Roadcheck vacation problem. Not knowing about this event in advance just might be the only way to get the carriers off the road that should not be on the road at all! Until then I will continue operating with safety as a top priority every day, which I urge all of my fellow drivers and owner-operators out there to continue to do as well!