Truck drivers, ensuring the safety of your vehicle’s braking system is crucial. Recently, inspectors across Canada, Mexico, and the United States participated in the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) brake-safety inspection event, examining thousands of commercial motor vehicles in just one day.
Across these inspections, 4,898 commercial motor vehicles were examined in a single day. Impressively, 88.4% of these vehicles had no brake-related out-of-service violations. However, 570 vehicles (11.6%) were found with critical brake issues that required immediate attention. The most common issue identified was vehicles with 20% or more of their service brakes in an out-of-service condition, accounting for 57.9% of all violations. Additionally, inspectors found worn brake lines, broken brake drums, inoperative low air warning devices, and air or hydraulic fluid leaks in 256 vehicles. Steering-related brake issues were also notable, with seventy-three vehicles contributing to 12.8% of all brake-related out-of-service conditions.
This year, particular emphasis was placed on the health of brake linings and pads. Inspectors discovered 108 power units with lining/pad violations, with contamination being the top issue, while 71 towed units had lining/pad violations primarily due to cracks or voids. In nine U.S. jurisdictions, performance-based brake testers were utilized to assess braking efficiency. Out of 88 inspections, 4.5% of the vehicles failed to meet the minimum braking efficiency requirement of 43.5% and were taken out of service.
Looking at regional data, in the United States, 3,859 inspections were conducted, resulting in an 11.6% out-of-service rate for brake-related violations. Canada saw inspectors in nine provinces and territories conduct 1,021 inspections, with an 11.5% out-of-service rate. In Mexico, eighteen inspections were performed, with a 27.8% out-of-service rate for brake-related issues.
Truck drivers, maintaining your vehicle’s braking system is essential for your safety and compliance with regulations. Regular inspections and addressing any brake-related issues promptly can significantly reduce the risk of violations and ensure smoother operations on the road. For more detailed results from previous brake safety campaigns or to learn about CVSA’s upcoming seven-day Brake Safety Week scheduled for August 25-31, click here.
Source: The Trucker
