Brake Blitz next week; here’s what they’re looking for

Inspectors will focus on brakes during inspection blitz.

This year’s Brake Safety Week inspection spree will be held the week of Sept. 6-12, during which tens of thousands of vehicles are checked by state and federal inspectors, with an emphasis placed on brake components.

According to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Association (CVSA), inspectors will check:

  • 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
  • antilock braking system malfunction indicator lamps

Inspectors will also and measure pushrod stroke where applicable, the CVSA said.

Defective or out-of-adjustment brakes will result in the vehicle being placed out of service.

Last year inspectors checked 13,305 vehicles, resulting in 2,162 trucks put out-of-service for brake violations, according to the CVSA.

Brake Safety Week is part of the week-long Operation Airbrake program, sponsored by CVSA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

CVSA has resources on its website for drivers regarding Brake Safety Week.