The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance instituted the International Roadcheck several years ago as a way to crack down on certain common violations among bus and commercial truck drivers. This three-day inspection spree occurs once a year across New York and the rest of the U.S. as well as overseas. The 2018 Roadcheck has just wrapped up; it took place from June 5 to 7.

While the number of citations issued this year has yet to be counted, previous events can serve as an indicator. During last year’s event, safety organizations and law enforcement personnel issued more than 33,000 citations for large truck drivers who exceeded the hours-of-service guidelines. They exceeded the 14 work hours that are allotted to them each day. About 1,735 of these citations were issued in Iowa, a state whose primary roads have seen a 123 percent growth in truck activity over the past three decades.

Duty-hour violations made up 33 percent of the violations that led to truckers being put out of service in the 2017 International Roadcheck. This is a trend that needs increased attention as it leads to impaired driving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that impairment, either through drugs, alcohol, fatigue or illness, contributed to 157 fatal crashes in 2016. This happened to be the special focus of 2018’s Roadcheck.

When impairment causes a trucker to get in a crash, the victim may be eligible for compensation under truck accident law. Those who survive will be left dealing with catastrophic injuries, so it may be important to hire a lawyer who can build up the case and negotiate on their behalf with the trucking company. If the victim dies, the lawyer may help the family or another eligible dependent file a wrongful death suit. Should the company refuse to pay out, the lawyer might take the case to court.