Inspectors across 47 regions in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico carried out 4,898 commercial motor vehicle inspections in a single day as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) brake safety inspection initiative.
In the U.S., 37 jurisdictions participated in this year’s Brake Safety Day, conducting 3,859 inspections across Levels I, IV, and V. Out of these, 448 commercial motor vehicles were taken out of service due to brake-related violations, representing an 11.6% out-of-service rate. Additionally, inspectors found brake lining/pad violations in 74 power units and 46 towed units.
Data from this year’s Brake Safety Day revealed that 570 out of the 4,898 inspected vehicles (11.6%) had critical brake-related issues, resulting in their immediate restriction from further travel until repairs were made.
Inspectors discovered that 330 commercial motor vehicles had 20% or more of their service brakes in an out-of-service condition, accounting for 57.9% of all brake-related out-of-service violations, making this the most common issue.
Other brake-related problems were found in 256 vehicles (44.9%), including worn brake lines/hoses, broken brake drums, malfunctioning tractor protection systems, inoperative low-air warning devices, air leaks, and hydraulic fluid leaks.
Steering-related brake violations were found in 73 commercial motor vehicles, comprising 12.8% of all brake-related out-of-service violations.
This year, particular attention was given to the condition of brake linings and pads. Violations in this area can lead to out-of-service conditions and can impact a motor carrier’s safety rating. Inspectors found brake lining/pad issues in 108 power units and 66 towed units.
A total of 114 brake lining/pad violations were identified in power units, with contamination being the most common issue (48 cases). In towed units, 71 brake lining/pad violations were found, with cracks/voids in the linings/pads being the top violation (23 cases).
Nine U.S. jurisdictions used performance-based brake testers (PBBT) during Brake Safety Day. A PBBT measures a vehicle’s braking performance, and vehicles must meet a minimum braking efficiency of 43.5% according to U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and CVSA’s North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria. Vehicles failing to meet this standard are taken out of service.
Of the 88 PBBT inspections conducted, four vehicles (4.5%) did not meet the 43.5% braking efficiency requirement and were placed out of service.
Every year, CVSA invites law enforcement jurisdictions to participate in a one-day, unannounced brake-safety inspection and enforcement event. On this day, CVSA-certified inspectors focus on brake systems and components during their routine roadside inspections and report brake-related data to CVSA.
The unannounced Brake Safety Day is part of Operation Airbrake, a CVSA initiative aimed at enhancing brake safety in commercial motor vehicles throughout North America. The next Operation Airbrake event, a week-long Brake Safety Week, is scheduled for August 25-31.
Source: Truckers News
