Brake Safety Day flags 8.7% of trucks

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) conducted a surprise inspection focused on brake safety.

On April 22, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) conducted a surprise inspection focused on brake safety. This initiative, whose date is not announced in advance to ensure its effectiveness, aims to ensure compliance with commercial vehicle safety regulations. During the event, certified inspectors performed roadside checks focused on brake systems and components and provided CVSA with data on inspections and brake-related violations.

On June 17, CVSA released a statement reporting the results of the operation. Inspectors from 45 jurisdictions across Canada, Mexico, and the United States conducted a total of 4,569 commercial vehicle inspections. Of those, 398 vehicles (8.7%) were placed out of service due to brake-related violations.

This event, known as Brake Safety Day, focused this year on inspecting brake drums and rotors. As a result, violations related to these components were found in 32 vehicles, 14 of which were taken out of service due to safety concerns.

Brake Safety Day: inspection findings

According to CVSA’s release, these vehicles were immediately restricted from operation until the violations were corrected. The Alliance stated that problems with brake drums and rotors can impact the effectiveness of a commercial vehicle’s braking system and lead to violations or out-of-service conditions, which can affect a carrier’s safety rating. This is the primary reason behind the inspection initiative.

During the general inspections, 237 vehicles (59.5%) were found to meet the 20% defective brake threshold — meaning 20% or more of the vehicle’s (or vehicle combination’s) brakes were out of service, CVSA reported.

Other out-of-service violations identified during the inspection included:

77 out-of-service violations related to brake hoses and/or lines; 48 vehicles had steering axle out-of-service violations; 38 vehicles failed an air loss index test.
112 brake out-of-service violations, such as worn brake hoses/lines, inoperative tractor protection system, inoperative low air warning device, air leaks, hydraulic fluid leaks, etc.

Overall Brake Safety Day inspection results

In addition to standard inspections, nine U.S. jurisdictions used a Performance-Based Brake Tester (PBBT). The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and CVSA’s North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria require a minimum braking efficiency of 43.5%. 8% of vehicles did not meet the minimum required braking efficiency and were placed out of service.

The overall inspection results across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico were as follows:

In the United States, 3,819 inspections were carried out and 303 (7.9%) out-of-service violations were found.
Canada conducted a total of 744 inspections, finding 95 (12.8%) out-of-service violations.
Finally, in Mexico only 6 inspections were carried out, finding a total of 0 out-of-service violations.

CVSA’s Brake Safety Day is part of Operation Airbrake, a CVSA program dedicated to improving brake safety on commercial motor vehicles throughout North America. The next Brake Safety Week is scheduled for August 24–30.