Be aware!

The discussion revolves around a trailer put out of service for missing and cracked cross bars. The owner and Driver are both furious. They can produce Two Annual Dot inspections performed on this piece of equipment, from two different states and of course, two different T/A’s, within the past six months. The owner calls the State Highway Patrol Office who put the vehicle out of service. His response, “It is the Drivers responsibility to perform a thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspection.” When the subject was broached about passing two DOT Annuals in the previous six months, the officer responded with, “It is the carriers responsibility to ensure the mechanic performing the inspection is qualified.” When the T/A’s were called and informed of the violation, both assured the owner the matter would be looked into and they would call back. No call backs and when the owner called, he was put on hold, hung up on, or told the manager was not in. Whenever I take a vehicle in for repairs, they will show me what they have done, and then I still crawl under the vehicle to inspect it myself. Title 49 part 396.17 “Motor Carriers must ensure that persons performing annual inspections are qualified...” We can only do our best, however our best must be all we know. If we don’t know we ask, research and constantly search. In the end it is always our responsibility.

Be careful and have a blessed day!