The Three Most Common CSA Violations and How to Prevent Them

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation highlight the three most common CSA violations and how to avoid them:

Lighting

Broken lighting is the most visible of all violations and can quickly draw the attention of an inspector. A broken or missing light or reflector can result in a loss of six severity points in CSA for each violation.

Prevention:  Drivers and maintenance personnel need to be aware that every light and reflector listed in Sections 393.11 and 571.108, even the license plate lamp, need to be operational at all times. The only way to verify compliance is to inspect the vehicle on a regular basis.

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Brakes

One-fourth of all vehicle violations are for brakes, with over 1 million brake violations last year, each with four CSA points.

Prevention:  As with lights, brakes need to be inspected before and after every trip, but drivers need to be fully trained and qualified before doing any brake adjustment.  Make sure drivers know what to look for and when to get assistance with their brakes.

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Tires

As with lights, bad tires are a sure-fire way to be stopped and inspected. The biggest culprit: tread depth. Overall, 11% of vehicle violations are for tires – half for tread depth – with a CSA severity of eight points.
Steer tires must have 4/32 inch of tread depth; other tires must have 2/32 inch.

Prevention: A comprehensive maintenance program that includes regular tire inspections is a must, including pre-trip and post-trip inspections. Drivers need to know how and when to check inflation, with a gauge, and when it’s time for a replacement.