Safety
Oregon chain law for trucks: who must carry chains, where they go on each rig, and the $880 fine
Every vehicle over 10,000 pounds GVW must carry chains whenever they may be needed. Here is what ODOT requires once the signs say chain up.
Colorado chain season for trucks: the seven must-carry corridors, what counts as a chain, and the fines
From Sept. 1 to May 31, every commercial vehicle of 16,001 pounds or more must carry chains or an approved traction device on seven mountain routes, and the State Patrol runs proactive checks on I-70.
Recall check: 151 Mack medium-duty electric trucks for a false hill-start assist message
NHTSA says an incorrectly enabled dashboard message can lead to unexpected rollback on an incline; dealers will update the software and the owner's manual free of charge.
Brake Safety Week 2026 results: 15.3% of inspected vehicles parked, and what inspectors found on drums and rotors
CVSA says 2,369 of 15,528 vehicles were placed out of service for brake violations in August; Canada's rate was 17.8%, the U.S. 15.1%.
PHMSA rule now in effect lets cargo tank builders use ASME Section XII
MC 331, MC 338, DOT 406/407/412 and related transport tanks may follow the 2015 Section XII code; Section XII tanks must use the 2015 National Board Inspection Code.
Grote clarifies how its rear-collision warning lamps would work; FMCSA reopens comments to November 19
FMCSA is taking a second round of comments, through November 19, 2026, on Grote Industries' request to let trucks use radar-triggered amber warning lamps that flash when a vehicle approaches too fast from behind, after Grote changed its description of how the lamps behave.
Recall check: 26,729 Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks recalled for remote fuel filter hoses that can separate
NHTSA campaign 26V700 covers medium-duty Kenworth and Peterbilt models plus the 2025 Peterbilt 567. Dealers will replace the hoses for free; owner letters start Dec. 20.
Recall check: 6,810 Great Dane Champion and Everest vans for landing gear that can collapse
Welds on the landing gear K-brace of some 2027 dry vans may fail. Great Dane will inspect and replace the brace free; owner letters are due Dec. 22.
Recall check: 2027 Kenworth and Peterbilt sleeper bunk restraints, and Volvo VNL cab bolts
PACCAR is recalling about 310 trucks over bunk restraint webbing. Volvo is recalling 5 VNLs for loose or missing cab bolts. Here's what owners and fleets need to do.
NHTSA wants to rewrite tire test rules. Here's what it means for truck tires
A new negotiated rulemaking committee will review strength, bead and endurance tests in FMVSS 109, 119 and 139. Comments and applications are due Nov. 27.
PHMSA's HM-215S hazmat proposal: what shippers and carriers should know
The latest harmonization rule would update UN, ICAO, IMDG and Canadian TDG references and split the lithium battery CTU entry. Comments are due December 28.
Brake Safety Week 2026 Puts Drums and Rotors Under the Microscope
CVSA's August 2026 Brake Safety Week ran full brake inspections across North America with a focus on brake drums and rotors.
Roadcheck 2026 Targets ELD Tampering and Cargo Securement
CVSA's May 2026 International Roadcheck focused on falsified or manipulated ELD records and on how cargo was tied down.
FMCSA and NHTSA Withdraw the Heavy-Truck Speed Limiter Plan
In July 2025, the agencies withdrew the 2016 speed limiter proposal and FMCSA's 2022 follow-up, citing weak safety data and federalism concerns.
FMCSA Expands Crash Types Eligible for Preventability Review
In December 2024, FMCSA finalized four new crash types, including video-documented crashes, for crashes on or after December 1, 2024.
CVSA's 2022 Brake Safety Week Tracks Brake Hose and Tubing Chafing
Inspectors in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. ran Brake Safety Week on August 21-27, 2022, collecting data on chafed brake hoses and tubing.
CVSA's 2022 International Roadcheck Focuses on Wheel Ends
Inspectors across North America held the three-day Roadcheck blitz on May 17-19, 2022, with a spotlight on wheel end components.
CVSA's 2021 Brake Safety Week Targets Brake Hoses and Tubing
CVSA's annual brake enforcement week ran August 22-28, 2021, with inspectors gathering extra data on brake hoses and tubing.
FMCSA Proposes More Windshield Space for Safety Cameras and Sensors
A July 2021 proposal would let fleets mount safety technology up to 8.5 inches below the top of the wiper-swept area, double the 4-inch limit then in place.
CVSA's 2021 International Roadcheck Focuses on Hours of Service and Lighting
Inspectors across North America ran CVSA's 72-hour International Roadcheck on May 4-6, 2021, collecting extra data on hours-of-service and lighting violations.
CVSA Reschedules 2020 International Roadcheck for September 9-11
After a pandemic postponement, CVSA set its 72-hour International Roadcheck inspection blitz for September 9-11, 2020, with a focus on driver requirements.
CVSA's 2020 Operation Safe Driver Week Targets Speeding
CVSA's driver-focused enforcement week ran July 12-18, 2020, with officers concentrating on speeding by truck drivers and the motorists around them.