Save Money: Take Pre-Trip & Post-Trip Inspections Seriously

No, it’s not your imagination, the number of tickets being issued is skyrocketing. Between parking tickets, moving violations related to vision zero, and equipment violations, law enforcement is looking for any excuse to pull your vehicle over. Don’t give it to them. Make sure the equipment is up to code and reduce the chances of being issued tickets. The easiest way to do this is ensure your drivers take the pre/post-trip inspections seriously.

No commercial vehicle should be driven unless the driver is satisfied that the following are in good working order:

1. Service brakes (including trailer brake connections)
2. Parking brake
3. Steering mechanism
4. Lighting devices & reflectors
5. Tires
6. Horn
7. Windshield wipers
8. Mirrors
9. Coupling devices
10. Wheels & rims
11. Emergency equipment

Drivers planning to transport intermodal equipment must be satisfied that the following are in good order:

1. Lighting devices, lamps, markers, and marking material (and tickets will be issued for each defective lamp)
2. Wheels, rims, lugs, tires
3. Air line connections, hoses, & couplers
4. King pin upper coupling device
5. Rails or support frames
6. Tie down bolsters
7. Locking pins, clamps, hooks, clevises
8. Sliders

No commercial vehicle should be driven unless the driver is satisfied that the required emergency equipment is in proper working order:

1. Fire extinguisher min. 5 BC (10 BC for Hazmat)
   1. Must be fully charges
   2. Readily accessible
   3. Securely mounted
2. Warning Devices
   1. Three reflected triangles or
   2. At least six fuses or three liquid burning flares
   3. Other warning devices may be used in ADDITION to NOT in lieu of required devices
3. Spare fuses for the electrical systems (seeing this requirement fall by the wayside a lot)

At the end of each work day the driver must complete a post-trip report in writing (pre-trip reports don’t have to be in writing) which covers:

1. Service brakes (including trailer brake connections)
2. Steering mechanism
3. Lighting devices & reflectors
4. Wheels, rims, lugs, & tires
5. Horn
6. Windshield wipers
7. Rear vision mirrors
8. Coupling devices
9. Emergency equipment

The report must identify the vehicle and list any defections that would affect the safe operation of the vehicle or result in mechanical breakdown. The driver must sign the report. Repairs must be made before the vehicle’s next dispatch. The carrier must certify repair on the original report of the defect or that the repair is unnecessary. The examination reports, certification or repairs, and the driver’s review must be kept for a minimum of three months from the report date (but we suggest keeping them electronically for longer).

We all know ticket stacking and ticket blitzes are common. By improving the pre/post inspections a company is likely to increase their driver’s performance, save money, and improve their overall safety record.

(*Note: this article was based in part on a presentation given by Larry Johnson, NYSDOT Motor Vehicle Inspector, during the Trucking Association of New York’s [TANY] Annual Safety and Education Symposium April 3-4, 2018. Contact him directly at Lawrence.johnson@dot.ny.govor 518-265-4257. Contact TANY directly at 518-458-9696)

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