Regarding the mechanical condition of commercial trucks and enforcement, there was a new regulation enacted about 10 years ago, one that requires every piece of commercial equipment ( trucks & tractors, trailers & dollies ) pass a BIT ( Bi - annual Inspection T - something ) Inspection every 2 years. The joke among drivers now is that the truck is legal once every 2 years, as passing a BIT Inspection seems to be all that matters at some trucking companies. Never mind that the equipment may be run a Quarter - Million Miles or more in the 2 years between inspections. Of course commercial vehicles are still subject to random roadside & scale inspections, with minimum criteria for passing before leaving the inspection site, but realistically this only includes about 2 % of the commercial vehicles on the road, on a yearly basis. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance ( CVSA ) sticker issued upon passing a random inspection is only good for the next 90 days, though most commercial cops will look for a sticker more than a year out of date when deciding who to inspect. Although the CVSA program is nation - wide, it is funded by individual states & the trucking companies that operate in them. With the current budget woes in most states, this is an enticing, ' invisible ' program for funding cuts.
The reputation of a given company's drivers & their fleet maintenance history is also considered. A friend who drives for a U.S. Mail contractor was pulled in several times in the last month, after another driver for the same company was caught with an out of hours log book. All trucking companies have to keep extensive, up to date records of all mechanical inspections & repair work, as well as drivers Hours of Service & Drug Test records. Many trucking companies cited for non - compliance are really only behind in their record keeping. Most large trucking companies are very image - conscious, and maintain their equipment in top condition.
Commercial drivers who have a poor driving record often end up at smaller companies, who pay them a lower wage in exchange for having to pay more to insure them. Many sand & gravel outfits, and most container hauling companies, pay their drivers by the load, as an incentive to keep the wheels rolling. Three trips a day instead of two means more $$$. Something to remember the next time that can or gravel hauler cuts you off as they go tearing up the highway.
I can safely say the trucking company involved in last week's Amtrak wreck is still shut down, with inspectors crawling under, over, & through everything with tires, as well as the file cabinets. They have undoubtedly heard from their Insurance carrier by now also.