Getting post-trip truck inspections after hauling cargo is just as important as doing an inspection before a trip. While some truckers choose to be lazy and skip it, below are some reasons why you definitely shouldn’t.
It Gives Mechanics Enough Time to Fix Damages
Large trucks must withstand tremendous wear, far more than standard passenger vehicles. This is because they are routinely driven across the country in all weather conditions, traveling thousands of miles. Getting an inspection after the truck returns will prevent delays while ensuring deadlines and schedules are maintained.
The Law Requires It
The law states that vehicles that carry passengers and cargo must perform post-trip inspections every day. A report must be made for every vehicle operated during a single business day, which means that those that operate two vehicles would need to provide two reports, and so on and so forth. Although this might seem tedious and time-consuming, tempting some drivers to skip it, the purpose is to ensure every truck is carefully evaluated to determine things such as:
- How well the brakes function
- The effectiveness of signal, tail, and headlights
- The condition of the tires
- How well the vehicle steers
- Any possible problems with the coupling components
The after-trip inspection is designed to examine every key truck component. If no issues are found, only a driver must sign their report. However, if defects are discovered, the company supervisor or mechanic will also need to sign the form. A signature must also be collected from whoever will drive the vehicle next, to convey that they know about the issue.
CSA Violations Can Be Costly
The last thing you want as a driver or fleet owner is a CSA violation. These are taken very seriously and if you accrue too many you could lose your business or license. Enforcing after-trip inspections will give you adequate time to identify possible hazards for every vehicle in the fleet, which prevents violations.
More People Will Watch The Vehicle
While a less than stellar inspection doesn’t automatically mean the truck will be taken off the road immediately, it will create an environment where more people are watching the vehicle. If additional problems occur the fleet operator will know when to pull the vehicle off so it can get the necessary repairs.
Because Any Problems Found Must Be reported
Truck drivers tend to be on the road for extended periods of time and when they return home they want nothing more than to exit the truck and head home to their families. While this is certainly understandable, failing to adequately fill out the report can lead to insufficient communication between drivers or mechanics. If problems aren’t thoroughly clarified the next operator might overlook it and could wind up stranded out in the middle of nowhere due to a breakdown. Not only should you perform an inspection after every trip, but it must also be detailed and not haphazardly done. Performing a halfhearted or rushed inspection can cause you to miss issues that are significant.