CVSA Releases Brake Safety Week 2023 Results: Ensuring Safer Roads for All

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) released the results of Brake Safety Week 2023, an annual event dedicated to enhancing commercial vehicle brake safety. As an organization committed to improving road safety, CVSA’s Brake Safety Week aims to reduce the number of accidents caused by brake-related issues. In this article, we will explore the key findings of Brake Safety Week 2023 and the significance of prioritizing brake safety on our roads.

CVSA Brake Safety Week saw 682 brake pad and lining violations, placing 12.6% of inspected vehicles out of service in 2023. A total of 379 tractors and 261 trailers had lining and pad violations, highlighting 2023 Brake Safety Week’s focus issue.

Throughout the week, inspectors checked 18,875 vehicles in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, focusing on brake pad and lining violations. The 2,375 vehicles placed out of service were due to violations, including broken brake drums, loose air tanks, corroded holes in the spring brake housing, inoperative tractor protection valves, cracked linings, loose chambers or a combination of violations.

Of the vehicles placed out of service, nearly 60% failed the 20% defective brakes criterion, with 1,127 out-of-service vehicles featuring stand-alone brake violations and 12.4% exhibiting steering axle brake violations. Nearly 215 tractors and 60 trailers logged contaminated pad and lining violations. The least frequent citation was for loose or missing pads, which accounted for 10.70% of lining and pad violations.

Brake Safety Week focuses on enforcement and aims to educate drivers and fleet operators about the significance of brake safety. CVSA, along with law enforcement agencies and industry partners, conducts outreach programs to raise awareness about proper brake maintenance and the consequences of neglecting brake safety.

During Brake Safety Week, inspectors provide educational materials to drivers and fleet operators, emphasizing the importance of routine brake inspections, proper maintenance, and prompt repair of any brake-related issues. This proactive approach helps foster a safety culture and encourages responsible brake management across the commercial vehicle industry.

Brake Safety Week is just one of the many initiatives undertaken by CVSA to enhance commercial vehicle safety. The alliance collaborates with various stakeholders, including government agencies, law enforcement, industry associations, and manufacturers, to establish and enforce effective safety regulations and standards.

The release of Brake Safety Week 2023 results by CVSA highlights the importance of prioritizing brake safety in the commercial vehicle industry. By focusing on inspections, enforcement, and educational initiatives, CVSA aims to raise awareness, prevent brake-related accidents, and ultimately make our roads safer for everyone. Drivers, fleet operators and industry stakeholders must prioritize regular brake maintenance and address any brake-related issues promptly, contributing to a safer and more secure transportation system.

The next Brake Safety Week is scheduled for August 25–31, 2024.