Lamps, Lights, & Reflective Tape – Oh, My!
Road Check is a month earlier this year and will take place May 4-6 (next week!) This year’s vehicle focus will be on lighting, and driver focus will be on Hours of Service.
Development Coordinator Cory Adams summarizes, “While there are several regulations on placement of lamps and reflective devices, you only have to concern yourself with whether the lamp and reflective devices are still operating and in place.”
Lamps
Are your lamps in place? (I hope so)
Are they operational? (If not, let’s get them fixed!)
That’s all you’ve got to worry about for your lamps to be compliant for this year’s International Road Check.
The Federal DOT states that extra lamps, lamps that are not required, do not have to be operable.
The good news is, Nussbaum trucks and trailers have no extra lamps to be concerned with except for the auto-inflation lamp.
Lights in place. Lights on. Done.
Reflective Devices
There is quite a bit of DOT tape to be accounted for. And you’ll need to be sure that the red and white tape is in place as necessary.
But an easy 50/100 rule will keep you compliant. The sides of the trailer need to have 50% coverage. Cory clues us in, “The trailers are manufactured with over 50% tape coverage on the sides, so some can be scraped off, and we will still be compliant with the regulations.”
The rear of the trailer needs to have 100% coverage.
Cory fills in, “There is to be tape 100% from side to side on the rear of the trailer. If we have any on the rear missing, we may need to replace it.”
The only reason we may not need to replace it ASAP is if the trailer has this loophole. Cory informs, “Manufacturers typically place tape across the bottom of the doors and the DOT underride bumper. With 100% of one or the other, we will be compliant with regulations.”
50% tape on the sides. 100% tape on the rear. The 50/100 rule.
Be Prepared
International Road Check begins Tuesday, May 4. Remember these tips from Cory on lamps and reflective devices, and you’ll breeze through the Road Check.
