Annual Check Up and Salute Starts

State, provincial and federal officials are spreading out across the continent, looking for unsafe trucks and truckers, and at the same time carrying the message that the vast majority of professional drivers are safe — and very much appreciated.

International Highway Transportation Safety Week, from June 1 to 5, gives the industry in the United States and Canada as well as transportation regulators the opportunity to promote motor carrier safety and highlight the efforts of all those who work to improve it year-round.

The observance will combine the coordinated enforcement blitz of its predecessor, Roadcheck, with special events reaching out to the public to salute both the inspectors and inspectees.

The Federal Highway Administration, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, which organized the event, will use the week to teach the public about safety issues, such as sharing the road, driver fatigue, seat belts and work zone safety. A little driver appreciation will be added to the mix.

In 1998, more than 65 agencies throughout North America, hundreds of motor carriers and most trucking associations lent a hand, and are expected to pitch in again this year.

“The biggest goal of the week is to help elevate the importance of commercial vehicle safety out on the highways, not only from an enforcement perspective but also for the people who do this every day — trucking company people, drivers and the enforcement community,” said Larry Stern, director of administration at CVSA.

“There are things going on throughout the year — no matter what the hullabaloo about transportation safety week,” he said. “These people dedicate each day of the their lives working to make the roads safer.”

For the full story, see the May 31 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.

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