The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week is now underway through Aug. 29.
“The seven-day focused inspection and enforcement initiative is designed to improve safety by ensuring commercial motor vehicles on our roadways are operating with properly maintained and functioning braking systems,” CVSA said.
Throughout that week, trained and certified inspectors in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will conduct routine commercial motor vehicle inspections with a focus on brake systems and components. Vehicles with brake-related out-of-service violations, or any other out-of-service violations, will be removed from roadways until those violations are corrected.
Brake Drums and Rotors
In addition, inspectors will focus on drums and rotors, the emphasis for this year’s brake-safety initiative. Brake drum and rotor issues may affect a vehicle’s brake efficiency. Broken pieces of drums and rotors may become dislodged from the vehicle en route and damage other vehicles or result in injuries or fatalities to the motoring public.
Brake Safety Week
During Brake Safety Week, inspectors will report data to CVSA about vehicle inspections and brake-related violations. CVSA will collect and analyze all submitted brake-related data and release the results later this year. By dedicating focused resources and attention to brake safety, CVSA aims to reduce violations, improve compliance and make roadways safer for all users.
Education and Awareness
In addition to inspections, Brake Safety Week also emphasizes education and awareness. Inspectors and officials will engage with drivers, motor carriers and mechanics to highlight the role that proactive vehicle maintenance plays in reducing crashes and saving lives.
Motor carriers and drivers are encouraged to perform thorough pre- and post-trip inspections and ensure all brake components are in proper working condition before operating their vehicles. Brake Safey Week serves as an important reminder that safety is a shared responsibility among drivers, motor carriers, inspectors and the broader transportation community.
“Brake Safety Week aims to improve commercial motor vehicle brake safety throughout North America,” CVSA said. “The goal is to eliminate roadway crashes by conducting roadside inspections and educating drivers, mechanics, large- and small-fleet motor carriers, owner-operators and others on the importance of proper brake inspection, maintenance and operation.”
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
