Road Check 2014: Coming to a highway near you in June

CVSA Roadcheck

Roadcheck, now in its 27th year, is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 17 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute from Canada to Mexico during a 72-hour period in early June. Each year, approximately 10,000 CVSA-certified local, state, provincial and federal inspectors in every jurisdiction across North America perform the truck and bus inspections.

This year's International Roadcheck is June 3-5, 2014. International Roadcheck 2014 will include primarily North American Standard Level I Inspections, which is the most thorough roadside inspection. It is a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of both the driver and vehicle. Drivers will be asked to provide items such as their license, endorsements, medical card and hours-of-service documentation, and will be checked for seat belt usage and the use of alcohol and/or drugs.

Got your Hazmat up to date?

For those of us who may be traveling the continent's highways in early June, prepare for possible delays.

As I think about this, I am sure various police forces will use this event to "piggyback" general sobriety and 'safety' checks on random motorists as well. Never let a good roadblock go to waste, so to speak. Maybe it would be a good time to drive Route 66 instead of the Interstate on those days....

a reply to: Montana

The blitz is only targeting CMVs. They're going to have enough to do with all the trucks to try to hit cars too. It's not going to be roadblocks in 99% of places. They're going to pull more in at weigh stations, and pulling us over to check.

Time to prove you are innocent.

The highway Gestapo will make sure you are ok to be on the roads. Because we all know the trucker driving the Mcdonald's cheeseburger patties just might be breaking some sort of the thousands of laws.

Be ready to prove you are worthy.

a reply to: Zaphod58

As you say, still I am not so sure about the 'too busy' statement, and the concepts of limiting exposure and unnecessary risks come to mind. I think I will drive the back way to town.

a reply to: Zaphod58

What medical card do they want to see for the truck drivers?
Seems like an odd requirement?

a reply to: Sremmos80

I would imagine they are speaking of this:

FMCSA dot gov

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers maintain a current Medical Examiner’s Certificate to drive. As part of the physical, you are required to fill out the medical history portion of the Medical Examination Report of Commercial Driver Fitness Determination.

a reply to: Montana

I think I will drive the back way to town.

Soo, what exactly are you afraid of ......Just wondering?

a reply to: Montana

Good deal

And @ Mianeye, just because you you don't want to be bothered and possibly searched doesn't mean you have something to hide.

originally posted by: Mianeye
a reply to: Montana

I think I will drive the back way to town.

Soo, what exactly are you afraid of ......Just wondering?

Who knows? Are you so sure that not only you but your vehicle is 100% within all the vehicle statutes and requirements? When was the last time you walked your car to make sure all the lights were functioning and everything was secure? If nothing else, sheer chance could come into play.

That is why I said limiting exposure and unnecessary risks. If you aren't there, you can't be found guilty of a violation you aren't aware of.

Afraid? Maybe you spend a lot of your life afraid, I don't. I have just learned to be cautious while attending the school of hard knocks.

a reply to: Montana

Sobriety checkpoints are contingent upon the criteria established in each state.

Commercial motor vehicles are not governed by state laws when it comes to stopping and checking them. Commercial motor vehicles fall under federal law and as such there are different criteria. Namely reasonable suspicion is not needed to stop a commercial motor vehicle - they can be stopped at will and can be requested to show drivers license, health card / coroner card, cargo manifest and their log book. The BAC limit is the same as under 21 - .02% - anything equal / over is an arrestable offense and can result in the class A driver's license being revoked.

Private vehicles are governed by state laws and supreme court rulings - IE reasonable suspicion / probable cause must be present to stop / make contact.

As always exercise due diligence and check the laws in your neck of the woods. Also please remember roadside is not the proper location to contest a reason for the stop or validity of the stop - The courts are responsible for that.

originally posted by: Mianeye
a reply to: Montana

I think I will drive the back way to town.

Soo, what exactly are you afraid of ......Just wondering?

For being harassed and degraded with the possibility of being killed or jailed for absolutely no reason like LEO's like to do.

I have nothing to hide. I have a right to my privacy. There are laws in place that protect that right.

Just because you don't want your rights doesn't mean other people have to sacrifice theirs.

Get real.

a reply to: RomeByFire

If you are not operating a commercial vehicle then it does not apply to you.

a reply to: Montana

Who knows? Are you so sure that not only you but your vehicle is 100% within all the vehicle statutes and requirements?

Yes.... if not, i'll take the ticket, it's my own fault, it's part of having safe roads, or are you not interested in safe roads

Afraid? Maybe you spend a lot of your life afraid, I don't.

Soo, why go the back way to town if you are not afraid, i mean if you are 100 % sure your vehicle is ok, you are not in any trouble at all, or does that mean you don't know the rules or are just avoiding the rules cause they are annoying to you?

originally posted by: Mianeye

Soo, why go the back way to town if you are not afraid, i mean if you are 100 % sure your vehicle is ok, you are not in any trouble at all, or does that mean you don't know the rules or are just avoiding the rules cause they are annoying to you?

Paranoia and a lack of understanding of how the law works comes to mind. Not to mention a blanket viewpoint on law enforcement.

originally posted by: Xcathdra
a reply to: RomeByFire

If you are not operating a commercial vehicle then it does not apply to you.

I don't see how that comment fits.

I agree with you on BAC. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that there's a crisis with drunk driving.

So why is so widely available, accepted, and glamorized?

Rather than putting a band-aid on this wound we need to properly fix it.

Just because some asshole wants to drive drunk and kill people doesn't mean I have to deal with the hassles and potential death that is commonly dished out by American police.

Besides, I don't see these moral crusaders charging the White House over drone strikes murdering children.

And what is "reasonable suspicion? Probable cause?" A cops opinion? What kind of college education is required before becoming a police officer?

How about these criminals with badges who beat our people's dogs and shoot our people go take their anger elsewhere and "get a new job" since the only response they can ever manage to muster is "just doin my job, ma'am."

a reply to: RomeByFire

For being harassed and degraded with the possibility of being killed or jailed for absolutely no reason like LEO's like to do.

Dude...over reacting much.....Though i hear you, it happens, but don't be paranoid, it's just silly....Sorry, just my opinion

a reply to: RomeByFire

The comment applies in the fact I was explaining the difference in standards and requirements between commercial motor vehicles and private vehicles.

The enforcement action is directed at commercial traffic.

If you are not in a commercial vehicle then RS/PC is needed for contact.

Your comment -

For being harassed and degraded with the possibility of being killed or jailed for absolutely no reason like LEO's like to do.

has no bearing on the thread and comes across as a blanket charge on all law enforcement. If you are not a commercial vehicle operator then your comment above has absolutely no relevance to the thread.

Great, I suggest that each and every person needs to get themselves a key chain recorder, or there is always an app for that. Seriously, I record most drives now but usually only voice record, however I am thinking of getting a little recorder that does both voice and camera, can stick it to the mirror above the passenger seat.

It is best to openly let them know you are recording, if they ask why you tell them you are asserting your First Amendment right and you are in no way interfering with their work, our Constitution allows this. There are a couple wacked out states I believe who do not allow this at all (apparently they don't understand the Constitution) and a few more that say the cop must be notified that they are being recorded. I would check your states specific laws, because they change so quickly.

a reply to: brandiwine14

Illinois is the last state to continue to challenge the courts in terms of recording police actions. All other states have had their laws challenged and struck down by the courts.

As for recording and letting the officer know - fair enough. We are generally wired with audio as well and I know from experience that those recordings can be used to counter false claims.

My only suggestion -
* - To reinforce what you stated - check your state laws to make sure of the laws that cover this.
* - I would recommend NOT trying to hold a recorder while talking with the officer unless they are ok with it.
* - Its entirely possible the officer may request to see the recorder and inspect it to make sure its not a weapon. I have done this a few times and once satisfied I hand it back. I also let the person know they can leave it recording while I inspect it.

* - The driver / passengers in a car during a traffic stop are temporarily seized under the 4th amendment, and as such movements / actions of individuals in the car can be restricted - IE if the driver is pulled out of the vehicle to speak to the officer a passenger cannot get out to record it.

Contrary to what people think not all law enforcement officers are arrogant asses. We are responsible for our safety, the safety of the people we are in contact with as well as all 3rd parties in the vicinity. My suggestion would be to let the officer know you are recording and go from there.

Exercise common sense.

a reply to: Mianeye

My problem with it all is that you are treated like you are guilty and have to prove you are innocent.

That is exactly how it operates.

If a person suspects someone of drinking and driving they should be reported.

You shound not be suspected of doing so then have to show that you are not.

Any way you slice it check points work against our freedoms.