Reminder: Ready for Brake Safety Week? Starts Sunday

Are you ready for Brake Inspection Week?

More importantly, are your truck’s brakes?

They need to be in proper working order all the time, but especially so starting Sunday because inspectors are fanning out to check them, and you might be stopped.

During Sept. 11-17 law enforcement agencies across North America will conduct brake inspections of large trucks and buses. They will be looking for out-of-adjustment brakes, and brake-system and anti-lock braking system (ABS) violations as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week.

Brake inspection week coming up in September

According to the CVSA, brake-related violations comprised the largest percentage (43 percent) of all out-of-service violations cited during Operation Airbrake’s companion International Roadcheck campaign in 2015.

During Brake Safety Week, the CVSA says inspectors will look at brake-system components to identify:

  • loose or missing parts
  • air or hydraulic fluid leaks
  • worn linings, pads, drums or rotors
  • other faulty brake-system components.
  • ABS malfunction indicator lamps

Inspectors will also inspect brake components and measure pushrod stroke where applicable. Defective or out-of-adjustment brakes will result in the vehicle being placed out of service, according to the CVSA

Many inspectors will be conducting Level I Inspections, and in the 10 jurisdictions using performance-based brake testing equipment, vehicle braking efficiency will be measured.

Brake Safety Week is part of the Operation Airbrake program sponsored by CVSA in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.