Brake Safety Week 2021 is scheduled for August 22-28. During the annual campaign, commercial motor vehicle inspectors will place additional emphasis on brake systems and components as they conduct roadside inspections across North America.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) uses Brake Safety Week to highlight the importance of proper brake maintenance, operation, and performance. Inspectors will conduct North American Standard inspections and identify commercial motor vehicles with brake-related violations that meet the criteria for being placed out of service.
In addition to inspecting brake systems, inspectors will collect data on brake hoses and tubing, which are the focus area for this year's Brake Safety Week. CVSA will compile and release the inspection findings later in the year.
Brake system and brake adjustment violations continue to represent a significant portion of commercial motor vehicle out-of-service violations.
During the previous year's three-day International Roadcheck inspection and enforcement initiative, brake system and brake adjustment violations accounted for 38.6% of all vehicle out-of-service conditions.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), "brake system" was also the third most cited vehicle-related factor in fatal commercial motor vehicle and passenger vehicle crashes.
Brake-related violations accounted for eight of the top 20 vehicle violations recorded in 2020, according to FMCSA's Motor Carrier Management Information System.
During the 2020 Brake Safety Week campaign, inspectors examined 43,565 commercial motor vehicles, and 12% were placed out of service for brake-related violations.
These numbers demonstrate why proper brake maintenance and routine inspections are critical for commercial motor carriers, drivers, owner-operators, and maintenance professionals.
Brake Safety Week dates are announced in advance to give the industry an opportunity to proactively inspect and service vehicles before increased enforcement begins. Motor carriers and drivers can use this period to identify brake system problems, correct deficiencies, and ensure their equipment is safe, mechanically fit, and compliant before it reaches the road.
August is also recognized as Brake Safety Awareness Month. Throughout the month, law enforcement agencies and industry organizations will promote brake safety through education, outreach, and awareness efforts.
During Brake Safety Week, CVSA-certified inspectors will pay particular attention to brake systems and related components. Inspections may include:
Inspectors may also examine other vehicle components during a roadside inspection, including cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline and driveshaft components, exhaust systems, frames, fuel systems, lighting, steering mechanisms, suspension, tires, trailer bodies, wheels, rims, hubs, windshield wipers, and other required equipment.
Brake safety should not begin when a commercial vehicle arrives at a roadside inspection station. Proper maintenance starts with routine inspections, preventative maintenance, and thorough pre-trip walkarounds.
Taking the time to identify brake-related issues before a vehicle goes on the road can help prevent mechanical problems, roadside violations, and unnecessary downtime.
During daily inspections and pre-trip walkarounds:
As part of routine preventative maintenance:
Regular maintenance should also include the vehicle's air system:
Brake Safety Week provides commercial motor carriers and drivers with an opportunity to take a proactive approach to vehicle maintenance.
A thorough pre-trip inspection, combined with regular preventative maintenance, can help identify brake system problems before they become safety concerns or roadside inspection violations.
During a Level I or Level V inspection, vehicles without critical vehicle inspection item violations may be eligible for a CVSA decal, depending on the inspection results and applicable requirements.
Vehicles with critical violations that meet the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria may be placed out of service until the violations are corrected.
At Abdi Transport Inc., we believe safe operations begin with properly maintained equipment. Regular inspections, preventative maintenance, and attention to brake system condition are essential to keeping commercial motor vehicles safe, compliant, and ready for the road.
With Brake Safety Week approaching, now is the time for carriers, drivers, and maintenance professionals to inspect their equipment and address brake-related issues before August 22.
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