Tire Safety: Making Sure Your Company’s Fleet Is Prepared for Inclement Weather

If your business operates in the United States and/or Canada, your drivers are likely to encounter inclement weather such as snow and ice. Many jurisdictions prohibit the operation of commercial motor vehicles when weather conditions endanger the general public on the road.

In most jurisdictions, the 1/16th or 2/32nd rule is applied, which deems the operation of a commercial motor vehicle unsafe if any of its tires have treads less than these fractions of an inch. Some states allow other alternatives, including special trip permits and the use of tire chains to provide protection from the dangers posed by icy roads.

If a commercial driver is found to be operating a CMV in violation of federal regulations, the consequences may go beyond a mere citation issued against that driver. This infraction will be weighed against your company’s USDOT number and may affect its motor carrier safety rating depending on the applicability of certain local and federal regulations.

We’re always happy to assist with any regulatory compliance questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us!