CVSA Brake Safety Week Returns August 23 with Focus on Brake Drums and Rotors

CVSA's 2026 Brake Safety Week runs August 23 through August 29 with inspectors focusing on brake drums, rotors, and other brake system components during roadside inspections.

Commercial drivers and motor carriers across North America should prepare for increased brake inspections later this month as the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) launches its annual Brake Safety Week from August 23 through August 29.

During the seven-day enforcement initiative, certified inspectors throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico will conduct commercial vehicle inspections with a special emphasis on brake systems. Vehicles found with brake-related out-of-service violations, along with any other out-of-service defects identified during an inspection, will not be allowed to continue operating until those issues have been corrected.

This year’s campaign will once again place particular attention on brake drums and rotors, two components that play a critical role in braking performance and highway safety.

Brake Violations Remain a Common Out-of-Service Issue

Brake Safety Week continues to identify thousands of brake-related violations each year. During the 2025 campaign, inspectors conducted 15,175 commercial vehicle inspections and placed 2,296 vehicles out of service for brake-related violations, representing an out-of-service rate of 15.1 percent.

Among those inspections, CVSA recorded 113 brake drum and rotor violations, with 39 commercial vehicles placed out of service because of defects involving those components.

According to CVSA, damaged drums and rotors can reduce braking performance while also creating hazards for other motorists if broken pieces separate from the vehicle and enter the roadway.

What Inspectors Will Be Looking For

Brake drums and rotors remain a focus because deterioration is often visible before it becomes a serious safety concern. During inspections, officers may identify cracked drums, missing pieces, heavily worn rotors, excessive rust across the braking surface, exposed cooling vents caused by excessive wear, or grooves indicating metal-to-metal contact after brake pads have worn beyond their service limits.

While inspectors perform detailed roadside examinations, drivers can often identify many of these conditions during routine vehicle inspections before leaving the yard.

Preventive Maintenance Remains the Best Defense

In addition to roadside enforcement, Brake Safety Week is intended to encourage preventative maintenance throughout the commercial trucking industry. CVSA encourages drivers to complete thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections, document brake-related concerns on driver vehicle inspection reports, and report defects so repairs can be completed before equipment returns to service.

Motor carriers are also encouraged to ensure brake repairs follow manufacturer specifications and maintenance guidelines to help reduce the likelihood of violations during inspections.

CVSA will collect inspection data from participating jurisdictions throughout Brake Safety Week and publish the enforcement results after the initiative concludes.