What is the purpose and objectives of DOT inspection?

Inspection violation history often indicate lack of management commitment and other poor practices that often lead to increased accidents. Their goal is zero accidents so they look for the worst safety violators and decide if they require 'correction'.

 

if there were no violations found, they wouldn't be out there all the time.

there are too many companies that don't maintain their equipment; bad brakes, bald tires, lights out.

of course there are those that think it's a personal attack on them or it's always a money grab.

check out the trucks around you in the T/Stop or fuel island.

 

Prior to Deregulation in the early 1980s, trucking was guaranteed rates that would support safe equipment and drivers. Good rates were supported by limited entry into the business, regulated routes and commodities. Trucking companies had to show that their proposed rates were compensatory. Trucking companies competed with good service, not by rate cutting. With Deregulation we got open competition with more safety inspection.

 

The DOT is a government agency. Government agencies are supported (as in make their money) by citizens and companies. You are both as a trucker. Nothing in life is free. Trucking is one of the most over-regulated industries out there, probably THE most regulated. Now that you know you can choose to pay to play or leave.

 

You can start a trucking company or become a commercial driver in less time than it takes to turn a cashier into a hair stylist.

There are lots of regulations in trucking but many other fields have tons more than trucking.

 

The goal is zero defects and no accidents. Inspections were started to decrease trucking accidents. Most DOT Inspections find mechanical violations, and most states only charge what it costs to process the citation. If DOT made money there would be more of them, but look at any state budget and they cost the state money. While trucking is an over regulated industry, those regulations didn't get there, or enforced because everyone was doing their job, they are there because they don't and people pay with their lives.
I have more than my share of inspections, have only been cited once, in Texas, it was for an ABS light being on. I was enroute to get it repaired at Utility as it was under warranty, Trooper stopped me, saw the messages on the Qualcom, yet cited me anyway. Company took care of it, but it cost me a perfect run of inspections.

 

Without them I could only imagine the kind of junk people would be operating.

When they do the safety blitz look how many trucks get put out of service.

 

The states get paid by the FMCSA through the MCSAP per every inspection they issue. These inspections go to the heart of CSA and in some cases insurance rates. I'm old school when it comes to these causes. I don't care who you drive for! I don't care what they tell you! You get in a CMV and operate said CMV on a public roadway that is NOT fit for service IT IS YOUR FAULT! Far too many drivers operate a CMV and in some cases are so dang lazy they won't even take the time to check the lights and tires. Another issue is there are way too many drivers that don't honestly understand the proper way to do a pre/post trip inspection. When I was active I was a PITA when it came to things like legals and tires. I made it clear to my carrier, that truck don't move until that situation is fixed AND if needed I had the numbers to Safety. Sorry! I have ZERO sympathy for drivers stopped and written up for defects! These bad inspections are ON YOU!

 

They’re supposed to get all that ratty crap off the roads but that’s not always what they do

I know of a guy and I’m sure not the only one who was pulled in for a full inspection
He had all new gear
He asked why he was picked when all this other garbage was rolling through
He was told. I get off in 20 minutes and don’t want to be here all night writing up a truck