Arizona’s CVSA Crackdown: I-10 and I-40 Are the Hot Zones This Week

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Introduction – Arizona Ain’t Playing This Week

If you’re driving through Arizona this week, you might want to double-check your tires and make sure your logbook doesn’t look like a toddler filled it out. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) is going full-throttle for the CVSA International Roadcheck from May 13 to 15, and they’ve made it clear:
They’re locking down Interstates 10 and 40 — two of the busiest freight highways in the country.

While the national focus is on steering, suspension, and tractor protection systems, Arizona’s playing its own game. They’re zeroing in on:

Tire conditions

Driver logs and Hours-of-Service (HOS) compliance

Translation: If your tread’s worn or your ELD’s sloppy, you might get pulled faster than a greenhorn on his first shift.

Why Arizona Picked I-10 and I-40

🚚 Freight arteries of the West –
I-10 and I-40 move tens of thousands of trucks every day — from California ports to the East Coast. These aren’t side roads. These are high-value targets if you’re trying to check a large volume of rigs.

📍 Strategic choke points –
Arizona troopers know where the choke points are — rest areas, weigh stations, exits with tight turns. Don’t be surprised to see flashing lights waiting at the bottom of a grade or after a known parking area.

📈 Efficiency for inspections –
The state knows that focusing on two corridors means less scattered effort and more concentrated enforcement. That means more inspections, faster turnaround, and bigger numbers on the DOT’s scoreboard.

What They're Really Checking – Let’s Break It Down

🛞 Tire Inspections
Expect close-up scrutiny. They're looking for:

Low pressure or mismatched PSI

Sidewall cracks, bulges, or exposed cords

Tread depth under 4/32" on steering or 2/32" on other tires

Uneven wear that signals alignment or suspension issues

Even a good-looking outer tire won’t save you if the inner dual is bald. Troopers are crawling under the rig with flashlights — and they’re not just there for fun.

📋 Driver Logs & HOS Compliance
They’ll pull your logs and cross-check with:

Your story

Fuel receipts

Toll records

GPS trail (if available)

Got a “creative” split sleeper or forgot to log personal conveyance correctly? You might be writing a statement by the roadside. And let’s not forget — if your ELD malfunctions and you didn’t annotate it properly, that’s a red flag.

What Drivers Are Actually Saying

We dug through forums, TikTok truckers, and Facebook groups — here’s what the boots on the ground are thinking:

“Tires and logs? That’s nitpicking.”
Many feel like Arizona is going for the low-hanging fruit. These are two of the most common (and easy to miss) violations. Some say it’s less about safety and more about getting numbers up.

“It’s always Arizona.”
This isn’t new. AZ troopers have had a reputation for being aggressive during Roadcheck for years. A few veteran drivers say they plan alternate routes just to avoid the heat.

“ELDs get us more than anything.”
HOS rules are strict, and most violations happen from simple mistakes — not logbook fraud. Mis-clicked duty status? Didn't annotate a 16-hour day? That could be all it takes.

Smart Drivers Are Doing This Instead

Let’s get real — you can’t avoid enforcement. But you can get ahead of it. Here’s how the sharp drivers are prepping for Arizona:

🧰 Pre-trips with a purpose
Forget the 2-minute walkaround. Guys are doing full 10-15 minute inspections. Kicking tires is out. Pressure gauges are in.

🧠 ELD audit before rolling
Take 5 minutes every morning to check your logs. Catch errors before the DOT does. Update annotations, verify mileage, and make sure your breaks and shifts line up.

📲 ELD backup plan
If your device goes down, you need a paper log ready to roll. No joke — AZ will not let you “figure it out later.” They expect you to have a plan.

🗣️ Know your rights (but stay respectful)
You have the right to ask what you’re being cited for, and you have the right to clarify any confusion. But don’t turn it into a debate. Stay cool, stay calm, stay rolling.

Bottom Line – Don’t Let Arizona Ruin Your Week

Roadcheck is stressful, no matter where you are. But Arizona’s turning up the heat this year. If your tires and logs aren’t in shape, you’re a sitting duck on I-10 or I-40.

This isn’t the week to play fast and loose. It’s the week to:

Slow down

Check your gear

Run clean

Watch your ELD like it’s your wallet

Because one citation could mean more than a fine — it could mean losing a load, missing your delivery, or being parked on the side of the desert highway watching tumbleweeds blow by.

Call to Action – If This Feels Like a Lot… That’s the Sign

You weren’t born to stress over every log line and lug nut. If you’re thinking about a life with fewer inspections and more freedom, maybe it’s time to plan your exit strategy.

👉 Head over to RetireFromTrucking.com — learn how other drivers are building off-duty income using AI and online tools.

👉 Want more no-fluff trucking tips, stories, and gear recs?
Hit up LifeAsATrucker.com

Because passing inspections is cool. But passing the torch to your future self?
Now that’s a move.