Weigh Station Violations Can Affect Your Safety Score

Most motor carriers review their roadside inspection reports for the obvious reasons: to fix mechanical defects and identify unsafe or noncompliant driver behavior.

Some violations are easy to decipher, such as a burned-out light bulb or exceeding the speed limit. Then there are all those part 392.2 violations with suffixes. Some count against your Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) scores, while others do not. Driving past a weigh station without pulling in as directed by a traffic control device is one that counts.

Section 392.2C is the enforcement's code for "failure to obey traffic control device." The C stands for control. In most weigh station violations, the traffic control device is not a signal light or stop or yield sign. Instead, it is the sign that instructs the driver to pull into the weigh station.

The citation appears in the severity table for the Unsafe Driving BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category). The violation has been assigned a value of 5 out of 10, with 10 being the most severe. The violation is used when calculating the carrier's and driver's Unsafe Driving BASIC scores.

The vehicles that must stop at scales and inspection locations vary between states and even among locations within a state. The "weigh scale ahead" or similar sign should be the driver's guide.

Drivers who operate a commercial vehicle (CMV) not requiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL), such as a large pickup truck or small box truck, often mistakenly believe that weigh scale inspections are just for larger rigs. Make sure all drivers understand when they must comply.

If a driver passes a weigh station without pulling in as directed by a traffic control device, enforcement will pull them over and escort them to the weigh station for a roadside inspection.

Even if a driver was honestly confused about whether the sign applied to the vehicle, enforcement's interest is now piqued, and it is doubtful that a driver would be waived through. Additionally, the enforcement officer may choose to enter a 392.2C violation on the roadside inspection report.

CSA’s enforcement model suggests finding the root cause of roadside inspection violations to prevent future occurrences and improve BASIC scores.

A violation of 392.2C may have one of several root causes, such as:

• Confusion over applicability
• Inattentiveness (missing the sign)
• Running late
• Risky behavior (taking a chance no one will pursue)
• Concern over other violations discovered once stopped

Whatever the reason, the issue must be addressed with the driver. Corrective actions range from refresher training to termination. If the driver was trying to avoid enforcement for other reasons (drugs, alcohol, over HOS limits), these other violations need to be addressed accordingly.

Violations for failing to obey a traffic control device are used to calculate your CSA Unsafe Driving BASIC score, so it is essential to address the root cause of the violation to ensure it does not recur. Use the Encompass® Fleet Management System to document your corrective actions and monitor your roadside inspections and CSA scores. Talk with a compliance specialist about how you can try it free for 60 days! Call 855-693-5338.