Remarks by Anne S. Ferro
FMCSA Administrator
2012 Roadcheck Kickoff Event
Landover, MD
June 5, 2012

Safety is our number one mission at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Safety is our year-round passion and CVSA is truly our "front line" - our boots on the ground -- for roadside safety inspections in every state.

It is through our partnership that we are raising the bar for motor carrier safety.

Working together, we have put action behind our words. We will not tolerate unsafe drivers and carriers that endanger the public.

Last week, we proved our point by shutting down 26 unsafe bus companies and their 10 principles. These companies violated basic safety standards and put their passengers at risk.

Working with law enforcement, we are committed to removing those who think they can cut corners to make a buck at the expense of their customers' safety.
Roadcheck continues our vigilant enforcement against unsafe carriers and reminds others to always follow the rules.

For 25 years, FMCSA has joined forces with CVSA to support the world's largest targeted inspection and enforcement effort aimed at commercial vehicles and their drivers.

FMCSA embraces Roadcheck 100 percent. In fact, today - Jack Van Steenburg, FMCSA's Chief Safety Officer is in Arizona participating in Roadcheck activities.

Our state law enforcement partners across the country are the glue that makes these rules stick.
This year alone, FMCSA will award more than $300 million in grants that directly support nearly 10,000 state and local officers dedicated to commercial vehicle and driver safety.

From sun up this morning until sundown on Thursday, these officers will conduct more than 70,000 inspections.

This year's Roadcheck initiative targets driver fatigue by focusing on hours of service requirements.

Last year, hours of service violations accounted for more than a half a million violations or 47 percent of all driver violations cited by federal, state and local police.

Trucking is a difficult job and a big rig can be deadly when a driver is tired and overworked. We want to prevent fatigue-related crashes and save lives by enforcing the hours of service requirements.

In crashes involving trucks and buses, driver error is a factor nearly nine out of ten times. When drivers are rested, alert and focused on safety, our roads are safer places - period.

During the Roadcheck, drivers will be pulled over and asked to show their record of duty status. They will also be asked for their CDL and medical examiner's certificate.

Every truck or bus will be scoured for equipment safety violations as well. Another focus this year is testing brakes.

Brake maintenance is essential to safe operations. Last year, brake violations accounted for more than 21 percent of all vehicle violations found during vehicle inspections.

Safety is our NUMBER ONE priority. When it comes to unsafe trucks and buses, we have ZERO tolerance.

Thank you to the many men and women of law enforcement who put themselves on the frontlines to protect the public's safety, not just during Roadcheck, but every day throughout the year.

Because of you, lives are saved.

To professional drivers who are doing a good job, Thank you! Keep setting an example for others.
To those who are not - take heed. Pay attention to the hours you've been driving and on duty; keep your vehicle in tip-top shape, wear your seat belt, don't speed. And don't drive when you are tired.

And, be sure to put down your cell phone while you are behind the wheel.
Let's make safety everyone's number one priority, every trip; every time.

Thank you all.
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