Last year, there were 3.5 million roadside inspections performed on co...
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Top 25 driver, vehicle, and hazmat violations of 2017
By: Daren Hansen
Publication: Transportation Regulatory Alert
Date Posted:
Feb 21, 2018
Last year, there were 3.5 million roadside inspections performed on commercial trucks and buses, with nearly 60 percent resulting in at least one violation, according to recently released government data.
Being familiar with those violations can help drivers and motor carrier avoid them.
The following tables list the top violations of driver- and vehicle-related motor carrier safety and hazardous materials regulations as cited during roadside inspections in 2017, as well as:
- The percentage of those violations that resulted in an out-of-service (OOS) order for the driver or vehicle (there were 955,000 OOS violations in all); and
- The severity points assigned to each violation in the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) system.
Also included is a list of the top violations categorized as “other,” consisting primarily of violations of state and local laws. These violations generally have no effect on CSA scores. There were 1 million such violations in 2017.
The data is derived from a snapshot of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Motor Carrier Management Information System as of January 26, 2018. The numbers may rise as the agency receives additional data.
Top 25 Driver Violations
|
Rank
|
Code
|
Description
|
Violations
|
OOS
|
CSA Points
|
|
1
|
395.8
|
Log violation: general/form and manner
|
170,721
|
0.2%
|
1
|
|
2
|
392.2S
|
Speeding
|
120,176
|
0.01%
|
1-10
|
|
3
|
391.41(a)
|
Driving without a valid medical certificate
|
77,257
|
8.8%
|
1
|
|
4
|
395.8(f)(1)
|
Driver’s log not current
|
71,004
|
0.7%
|
5
|
|
5
|
392.16
|
Failing to use seat belt
|
62,324
|
0.01%
|
7
|
|
6
|
395.3(a)(3)(ii)
|
Driving beyond 8-hour limit since the end of the last 30-minute rest break
|
51,149
|
0.1%
|
7
|
|
7
|
392.2C
|
Failure to obey traffic control device
|
49,032
|
0.01%
|
5
|
|
8
|
395.8(e)
|
False log(s)
|
42,856
|
73.4%
|
7
|
|
9
|
395.3(a)(2)
|
Driving beyond 14-hour duty period
|
40,205
|
38.2%
|
7
|
|
10
|
383.23(a)(2)
|
Operating a CMV without a CDL
|
35,890
|
97.7%
|
8
|
|
11
|
395.8(a)
|
No log(s) in driver’s possession
|
32,604
|
88.2%
|
5
|
|
12
|
392.2LV
|
Lane-restriction violation
|
28,770
|
0.01%
|
3
|
|
13
|
395.8(k)(2)
|
Failing to retain previous 7 days’ logs
|
25,554
|
88.3%
|
5
|
|
14
|
395.3(a)(3)
|
Driving beyond 11-hour driving limit
|
23,390
|
39.6%
|
7
|
|
15
|
392.82(a)(1)
|
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving
|
21,772
|
0.01%
|
10
|
|
16
|
391.11(b)(2)
|
Non-English-speaking driver
|
11,738
|
0.6%
|
4
|
|
17
|
383.51(a)
|
Driving a CMV while CDL is suspended
|
11,095
|
82.2%
|
8
|
|
18
|
395.15(g)
|
On-board recorder information or blank logs not available
|
10,748
|
0.03%
|
1
|
|
19
|
392.2FC
|
Following too close
|
9,741
|
0.03%
|
5
|
|
20
|
391.45(b)
|
Expired medical examiner’s certificate
|
9,690
|
4.7%
|
1
|
|
21
|
392.2LC
|
Improper lane change
|
7,655
|
0.3%
|
5
|
|
22
|
391.15(a)
|
Driving a CMV while disqualified
|
7,165
|
81.7%
|
8
|
|
23
|
391.11(b)(5)
|
Driver lacking valid license for vehicle type
|
6,879
|
94.3%
|
8
|
|
24
|
392.2ML
|
Failure to maintain lane
|
6,417
|
0.03%
|
5
|
|
25
|
391.11(b)(5)
|
Driving a CMV without proper endorsements or in violation of restrictions
|
5,385
|
96.6%
|
8
|
Top 25 Vehicle Violations
|
Rank
|
Code
|
Description
|
Violations
|
OOS
|
CSA Points
|
|
1
|
393.9
|
Required lamp(s) not operable
|
488,895
|
7.8%
|
2
|
|
2
|
396.5(b)
|
Oil and/or grease leak
|
199,359
|
7.0%
|
3
|
|
3
|
393.47(e)-(f)
|
Brake(s) out of adjustment
|
181,433
|
0.03%
|
4
|
|
4
|
393.11
|
No/defective lighting/reflective devices
|
177,272
|
2.4%
|
3
|
|
5
|
396.3(a)(1)
|
General inspection/repair/maintenance
|
168,011
|
19.4%
|
2
|
|
6
|
396.17(c)
|
Operating a CMV without periodic inspection
|
166,847
|
0.03%
|
4
|
|
7
|
393.45(b)(2)
|
Brake hose/tubing chaffing and/or kinking
|
139,264
|
11.3%
|
4
|
|
8
|
393.95(a)
|
Fire extinguisher violation
|
137,840
|
0%
|
2
|
|
9
|
393.75(c)
|
Tire tread depth less than 2/32 of an inch
|
134,324
|
8.2%
|
8
|
|
10
|
393.9TS
|
Inoperative turn signal
|
115,273
|
44%
|
6
|
|
11
|
396.3(a)(1)B
|
Brakes (general)
|
99,924
|
24.7%
|
0
|
|
12
|
393.53(b)
|
Automatic brake adjuster on CMV manufactured on or after 10/20/1994
|
89,584
|
0.01%
|
4
|
|
13
|
393.78
|
Windshield wipers inoperative/defective
|
88,687
|
0.5%
|
1
|
|
14
|
393.55(e)
|
Malfunctioning ABS lamps, towed CMV manufactured 3/1/1998–3/1/2009
|
76,897
|
0.02%
|
4
|
|
15
|
393.75(a)
|
Flat tire or tire fabric exposed
|
66,946
|
65.6%
|
8
|
|
16
|
393.95(f)
|
Warning devices missing/insufficient
|
66,251
|
0.01%
|
2
|
|
17
|
393.75(a)(3)
|
Tire flat and/or with audible air leak
|
63,241
|
96.3%
|
8
|
|
18
|
393.9H
|
Inoperative head lamps
|
62,027
|
1.1%
|
6
|
|
19
|
393.48(a)
|
Inoperative/defective brakes
|
61,904
|
23.6%
|
4
|
|
20
|
393.60(c)
|
Windshield damaged or discolored
|
52,441
|
0.2%
|
1
|
|
21
|
393.25(f)
|
Stop lamp violations
|
48,364
|
39.9%
|
6
|
|
22
|
393.9T
|
Inoperative tail lamp
|
45,871
|
11%
|
6
|
|
23
|
393.45
|
Brake tubing and hose adequacy
|
42,277
|
62.6%
|
4
|
|
24
|
393.75(a)(2)
|
Tire tread and/or sidewall separation
|
41,282
|
12.2%
|
8
|
|
25
|
393.83(g)
|
Exhaust leak under truck cab and/or sleeper
|
38,287
|
2.5%
|
1
|
Top 25 Hazardous Materials Violations
|
Rank
|
Code
|
Description
|
Violations
|
OOS
|
CSA Points
|
|
1
|
177.834(a)
|
Package not secure in vehicle
|
4,241
|
95.8%
|
10
|
|
2
|
107.620(b)
|
No copy of USDOT hazmat registration number
|
2,993
|
0.2%
|
0
|
|
3
|
177.817(e)
|
Shipping paper accessibility
|
2,506
|
0.1%
|
3
|
|
4
|
172.504(a)
|
Vehicle not placarded as required
|
2,164
|
49.5%
|
5
|
|
5
|
172.516(c)(6)
|
Placard damaged, deteriorated, or obscured
|
2,112
|
1.2%
|
5
|
|
6
|
177.817(a)
|
No shipping papers (carrier)
|
2,008
|
79.1%
|
3
|
|
7
|
172.502(a)(1)
|
Failing to provide carrier required placards
|
1,739
|
16.6%
|
5
|
|
8
|
172.602(c)(1)
|
Maintenance/accessibility of emergency response information
|
1,383
|
0%
|
3
|
|
9
|
177.823(a)
|
No placards/markings when required
|
1,291
|
49.6%
|
5
|
|
10
|
172.600(c)
|
Emergency response information not available
|
1,129
|
0.3%
|
3
|
|
11
|
397.3
|
State/local laws/ordinances/regulations
|
925
|
2%
|
1
|
|
12
|
172.202(b)
|
Failing to enter basic description of HM in proper sequence
|
921
|
0.3%
|
3
|
|
13
|
172.200(a)
|
Offering HM without preparing a shipping paper
|
773
|
43.6%
|
3
|
|
14
|
173.24(b)(1)
|
Release of HM from package
|
749
|
92.5%
|
10
|
|
15
|
172.328(d)
|
Failing to mark manual remote shutoff device
|
699
|
0%
|
5
|
|
16
|
177.801
|
Accepting/transporting HM not prepared properly
|
686
|
20.7%
|
2
|
|
17
|
172.602(a)
|
Emergency response information missing
|
630
|
0.2%
|
3
|
|
18
|
172.400(a)
|
Package/containment not labeled as required
|
600
|
1.2%
|
5
|
|
19
|
180.415(b)
|
Cargo tank test or inspection markings
|
566
|
0.5%
|
7
|
|
20
|
172.202(a)(1)
|
Improper shipping name on shipping paper
|
479
|
2.9%
|
3
|
|
21
|
172.202(a)(5)
|
Failing to enter total quantity of HM on shipping paper
|
425
|
0.2%
|
3
|
|
22
|
107.601
|
Failing to register with PHMSA prior to transporting HM
|
425
|
0.7%
|
0
|
|
23
|
180.407(a)
|
Transporting HM in a specification tank with expired inspections/tests
|
422
|
1.9
|
7
|
|
24
|
172.602(b)
|
Form and manner of emergency response information
|
413
|
0%
|
3
|
|
25
|
173.24(f)(1)
|
Packaging closures open or leaking
|
397
|
87.9%
|
10
|
Top 25 “Other” Violations
|
Rank
|
Code
|
Description
|
Violations
|
OOS
|
|
1
|
392.2RG
|
State vehicle registration or license plate violation
|
182,060
|
0.2%
|
|
2
|
392.2
|
Operating vehicle in violation of local/state laws
|
115,928
|
3.5%
|
|
3
|
392.2SLLEWA1
|
Excessive weight: 1-2,500 lbs over on an axle/axle groups
|
77,917
|
0.8%
|
|
4
|
392.2W
|
Size and weight
|
74,671
|
0.4%
|
|
5
|
390.21(b)
|
Failing to mark CMV with name and/or USDOT#
|
72,122
|
0.2%
|
|
6
|
392.2MI
|
Miscellaneous traffic law violation
|
45,700
|
1%
|
|
7
|
390.21(a)
|
Vehicle not marked in accordance with regulations
|
41,570
|
0.05%
|
|
8
|
392.2DIM
|
Dimension violation (width/height/length)
|
34,850
|
2.2%
|
|
9
|
392.2SLLEWA2
|
Excessive weight: 2,501-5,000 lbs over on an axle/axle groups
|
31,385
|
0.6%
|
|
10
|
392.2IRP
|
IRP apportioned tag or registration violation
|
31,300
|
0.3%
|
|
11
|
392.2UCR
|
Failure to pay UCR fee
|
26,418
|
0.07%
|
|
12
|
392.2FT
|
State or international fuel tax (IFTA) violation
|
25,019
|
0.1%
|
|
13
|
392.2AU
|
State operating authority violation
|
21,664
|
3.8%
|
|
14
|
392.2IN
|
State insurance violation
|
21,207
|
0.2%
|
|
15
|
392.2SLLS1
|
Speeding 1-5 MPH over the speed limit
|
20,404
|
0.02%
|
|
16
|
392.2SLLEWA3
|
Excessive weight: more than 5,000 lbs over on axle/axle groups
|
18,402
|
0.6%
|
|
17
|
392.2DL
|
Miscellaneous driver’s license violation
|
17,239
|
13%
|
|
18
|
392.2SLLEWG3
|
Excessive weight: more than 5,000 lbs over on gross weight
|
15,387
|
0.6%
|
|
19
|
390.19(a)(1)
|
Failing to file MCS-150 before operating
|
13,789
|
0.6%
|
|
20
|
392.9a(a)(1)
|
Operating motor vehicle w/o required operating authority
|
13,043
|
92.5%
|
|
21
|
392.2SLLEWG1
|
Excessive weight: 1-2,500 lbs over on allowable gross weight
|
11,831
|
0.2%
|
|
22
|
385.301(a)
|
Failing to register or obtain operating authority
|
10,186
|
0.8%
|
|
23
|
392.2SLLEWG2
|
Excessive weight: more than 2,501-5,000 lbs over gross weight
|
8,862
|
0.5%
|
|
24
|
392.9BANOREG
|
Operating in interstate commerce without a USDOT registration
|
7,533
|
8.6%
|
|
25
|
392.9BAINACTIVE
|
Operating in interstate commerce without an active USDOT number
|
4,921
|
41.6%
|
2017 CMV Roadside Enforcement By the Numbers
- 3.5 million roadside inspections
- 5.9 million violations recorded
- 2.3% increase in violations since 2016
- 6 in 10 inspections resulted in a violation
- 3.33 million truck inspections, 1.7 violations/inspection
- 118,000 bus/limo/van inspections, 0.7 violations/inspection
DRIVERS:
- 3.3 million inspected
- 993,000 violations recorded
- 200,341 placed out of service
VEHICLES:
- 2.4 million inspected
- 3.8 million violations recorded
- 678,000 placed out of service
HAZMAT:
- 200,000 roadside inspections
- 42,000 violations
- 10,800 placed out of service
PENALTIES:
- $54.5 million collected from…
- 6,674 closed enforcement cases
- $8,165 average settlement
- 28% increase in money collected vs. 2016
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