IT PAYS TO BE SAFE
No. 4, January, 2010
Pre- and Post-Trip Inspections
Every driver knows that he or she is supposed to participate in pre-trip and post-trip inspections; however, if you ask drivers what specifically has to be checked, you'll get several different answers. Section 396.11 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act specifically sets forth those portions of the tractor and trailer that are to be subject to inspection by the driver and that a driver must be satisfied are in safe operating condition before taking to the road. These include:
- Service Brakes (including trailer brake connections)
- Parking (hand-brake)
- Steering Mechanism
- Lighting Devices and Reflectors
- Tires
- Horn
- Windshield Wipers
- Rear-Vision Mirrors
- Coupling Devices
- Wheels and Rims
- Emergency Equipment
When checking brakes, don't forget to check for evidence of cracked drums, shoes or pads with evidence of oil, grease or brake fluid on them and whether the shoes are worn thin, missing or broken.
On page two is a helpful illustration of the typical areas to check on your pre-trip inspection.
Then don't forget that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act also requires that drivers complete a driver-vehicle inspection report (DVIR) in writing at the completion of each day's work on each vehicle operated covering all of the areas listed above. It's then incumbent upon your motor carrier or its agent to repair any defect or deficiency listed on the DVIR which would likely affect the safe operation of your truck.
Putting a safe truck on the road protects you and the public, and it always pays to be safe.
