Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced that its annual Brake Safety Week will take place from August 24-30, uniting law enforcement officers across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The week-long event aims to inspect commercial motor vehicles, raise awareness about brake system safety, and educate drivers and carriers on maintaining compliance with regulations.
Focus for 2025
This year, inspectors will place a particular emphasis on drums and rotors, performing routine checks on brake systems and components. This targeted focus aligns with CVSA’s mission to enhance road safety by ensuring the functionality and reliability of vital braking components.
Addressing Violations and Key Statistics
Vehicles with brake-related out-of-service violations or any other critical safety violations will be barred from use until the issues are resolved. According to statistics from last year’s Brake Safety Week:
- A total of 16,725 inspections were conducted.
- Out of these, 2,149 vehicles were found to have brake-related out-of-service violations, reflecting a 8% out-of-service rate.
- Among the vehicles taken out of service:
- 1% had stand-alone brake violations.
- 1% were cited for steering axle brake violations.
Data Collection and Analysis
Throughout the week, inspectors will capture detailed data on inspections, brake systems, and violations. Some regions will use performance-based brake testers (PBBTs) to evaluate braking efficiency and contribute data to the CVSA’s ongoing research. CVSA will analyze this data and release the findings later this year.
Importance of Brake Safety
Brake Safety Week isn’t just about inspections; it’s a collaborative effort to educate industry stakeholders. Motor carriers, drivers, owner-operators, and mechanics are encouraged to prepare using resources provided by CVSA, which include maintenance guides and tips for ensuring brake system reliability.
This initiative is a critical step toward improving road safety and reducing accidents caused by brake failures. Make sure you’re prepared and compliant before August 24!
Source: Truckers News
