North American Inspectors Championship (NAIC) 2012
Roadside inspectors are highly-trained professionals who save lives every day by keeping unsafe commercial vehicles and drivers off the roads. The work of a commercial vehicle inspector is not easy but it is one of the most vital in public safety. Each year, CVSA recognizes the best of the best by inviting member jurisdictions throughout North America to participate in the North American Inspectors Championship (NAIC).
NAIC 2012, sponsored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and CVSA, is held annually in conjunction with the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) National Truck Driving Championship (NTDC). It is the only event dedicated to recognizing and rewarding commercial vehicle inspector excellence.
Although participating inspectors compete for honors in several categories, each inspector leaves NAIC as a winner.
Each inspector receives training on the latest safety information, technology, standards and inspection procedures while sharing ideas, techniques and experiences with other inspectors.
NAIC contestants are evaluated in the following six categories:
- North American Standard Level I Inspection;
- North American Standard Level I Inspection Procedures;
- North American Standard HAZMAT/Transportation of Dangerous Goods Inspection;
- North American Standard Cargo Tank/Other Bulk Packagings Inspection;
- North American Standard Level V Passenger Vehicle (Motorcoach) Inspection; and,
- North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria Exam.
All of the inspection categories are timed events and the compilation of scores for these categories result in a Grand Champion. In addition to a Grand Champion, awards are given for first, second, and third place for selected inspection events.
What You Can Expect From NAIC
NAIC provides member jurisdictions with a better understanding of the strengths and weakness of their commercial motor vehicle safety program. A dedicated team of international, inter-agency and private industry people is assembled to provide the contestants with a memorable and rewarding experience.
Education
Providing inspectors with the latest safety information, NAIC helps them become better inspectors. Training sessions throughout the week provide inspectors the opportunity to learn the latest roadside inspection information. It is a unique experience to be involved in training sessions with the best inspectors in North America. Sessions and discussions give participants a chance to share and compare a wealth of knowledge and field experience. NAIC strives to provide the most up-to-date and relevant training information to the inspector with the sole intent of enhancing their knowledge base for roadside inspections.
Training initiatives cover a variety of commercial vehicle enforcement activities, including hours of service, cargo securement, out-of-service criteria, interview techniques, cargo tanks and general hazardous materials inspections. This information helps inspectors enforce commercial vehicle safety standards and regulations more effectively.
Performance
Inspectors from each jurisdiction demonstrate their knowledge of the North American Standard Inspection Program. Performance information gleaned sets the NAIC training curriculum for future years. Participants are able to see their own strengths and weaknesses in the North American Standard Inspection Program.
Uniformity
NAIC fosters uniformity of commercial motor vehicle inspections by providing inspectors an opportunity to share best practices and successful initiatives with other jurisdictions. Inspectors share the knowledge they gain with their respective jurisdictions. This reinforces uniformity, compatibility, and reciprocity of inspections throughout North America.
Partnerships
Inspectors and professional truck drivers build relationships and affiliations by communicating ideas on promoting highway safety. NAIC takes place at the same time and location as the American Trucking Associations' National Truck Driving Championship, where the safest commercial vehicle drivers and companies compete for the title of Grand Champion. NAIC participants and industry safety professionals have the opportunity to discuss and learn the benefits and obstacles of promoting highway safety throughout North America. They discuss the realities facing the transportation industry on a daily basis. NAIC is a unique enforcement and industry partnership.
History of NAIC
- Formerly known as the "Challenge" series competition.
- First class event developed as an effort to recognize inspectors and officers, the backbone of the commercial vehicle safety program in North America.
- Designed to promote uniformity of inspections through education.
- Participants represent U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
- Funded by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration since 1993.
- Held annually in conjunction with the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) "National Truck Driving Championship."
