Roadside Vehicle Inspectors Take On The Challenge

Shane Morgay
August 2, 2006

“Roadside inspectors are highly trained professionals who save lives everyday by keeping unsafe commercial vehicles and drivers off the road.”

These are the exact words uttered by David H. Hugel. Hugel is the acting administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or the FMCSA. And this is in reference to this year’s upcoming North American Inspectors Championship or the NAIC which would be held starting the 14th of August up to the 20th. During the said competition, all roadside inspectors from all around North America would be racing up to New Orleans in Louisiana and then compete to take home the title as the Best Commercial Vehicle Inspector.

The NAIC is sponsored by the FMCSA as well as the CVSA which actually stands for Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. Together, these organizations come up with the NAIC so also as to bring up the morale of these roadside vehicle inspectors as well as provide important highlights in traffic safety. Hugel also further states, “We applaud the participants of the annual NAIC competition and we salute all of their colleagues across North America. The work of a commercial vehicle inspector is not easy but it is one of the most vital in public safety.” Of course, this is indeed true. They do not just check if you have the right ipod MINI accessories in your vehicle. They do make sure that all parts of your vehicle is in working condition and would not be a risk to other motorists on the road.

The competition for the best roadside vehicle inspector would surely be a tough one to judge. And NAIC claims that they are doing such an act so as to recognize the efforts done by each inspector and so as to also inspire other roadside vehicle inspectors. Stephen F. Campbell, the executive director of the CVSA, further explains, “Although participating inspectors compete for honors in several categories, each inspector leaves NAIC as a winner. The event gives each inspector an opportunity to receive training on the latest safety information, technology, standards, and inspection procedures while sharing ideas, techniques, and experiences with other inspectors.”