Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Oct. 21, 2022:
Unannounced hazmat inspection blitz found more than 1,700 violations
An unannounced five-day inspection blitz in the U.S. and Canada over the summer found 1,774 violations of regulations regarding hazardous materials/dangerous goods.
June 13-17, truck inspectors checked 6,204 vehicles transporting hazardous materials/dangerous goods and 6,668 HM/DG packages in Canada and the U.S. for an initiative for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
Vehicles found to have hazmat-related out-of-service violations, and/or any other driver or vehicle out-of-service violations, were restricted from traveling until all out-of-service violations were addressed.
According to CVSA, during the 2022 HM/DG Road Blitz, inspectors discovered the following violations:
- 408 shipping papers violations
- 269 non-bulk/small means of containment packaging violations
- 272 bulk packaging/large means of containment placarding violations
- 76 non-bulk/small means of containment labeling violations
- 159 bulk packaging/large means of containment placarding violations
- 79 other safety marks violations
- 168 loading and securement violations
- 43 HM/DG package integrity (leaking) violations
- 84 transportation of Dangerous Goods Training Certificate violations (Canada only)
According to FMCSA’s data for the last calendar year (as of Aug. 26, 2022), the top five hazmat violations in the U.S. were:
- Package not secure in vehicle
- No copy of USDOT HM registration number
- No or improper shipping papers (carrier)
- Shipping paper accessibility
- Vehicle not placarded as required
[Related: The toughest states for brakes violations]
Iowa DOT welcomes truckers to park at scales
The Iowa Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Enforcement, in a Facebook post Wednesday, said it welcomes truck drivers to park at scales in the state to get some rest.
The post shows a picture of a mostly empty weigh station parking lot, noting “there is never a time when a spot is not available.”
[Related: How owner-ops can fight back in the war on truck parking]
Iowa DOT also says that drivers will not be disturbed for inspections because “they deserve a good night's sleep like everyone else.”
