Brake Safety Week 2024: Ensuring Roadway Safety Through Brake Maintenance 

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week is a crucial part of the CVSA’s Operation Airbrake Program, conducted in collaboration with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators. This annual event aims to enhance roadway safety by identifying and removing unsafe commercial motor vehicles with faulty brake systems through roadside inspections. In addition to inspections and enforcement, outreach and awareness efforts play a vital role in educating drivers, motor carriers, mechanics, owner-operators and others about the importance of proper brake maintenance, operation and performance. 

Dates and Focus of the Brake Safety Week: 

The upcoming Brake Safety Week for 2024 is scheduled to take place from August 25th to August 31st. During this period, inspectors will pay special attention to brake lining/pad violations. Although inspecting these components is always part of the North American Standard Inspection Program, CVSA is emphasizing their significance in maintaining vehicle mechanical fitness and safety. Brake lining and pad issues can result in vehicle violations and potentially impact a motor carrier’s safety rating. 

Brake Maintenance Importance: 

Regular brake maintenance is crucial for ensuring vehicle safety. Ideally, brake parts should be inspected and replaced as necessary during routine oil changes. It is essential to grease slack adjusters to prevent them from seizing up, which can lead to brake failure. Checking the air compressor pressure gauge is also vital to ensure it reads above 60 PSI when the vehicle is off and between 100 and 125 PSI when running. Additionally, hoses and linings should be in good condition, without cracks or leaks and have a thickness of at least one-fourth of an inch. 

Results from the 2023 Brake Safety Week: 

During the 2023 Brake Safety Week, commercial motor vehicle inspectors in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. conducted 18,875 inspections. Of these, 12.6% of the vehicles were placed out of service due to brake-related violations. The breakdown of violations included 12.4% for steering axle brakes, 47.5% for stand-alone brakes and 58.7% for failing the 20% defective brakes criteria. For a detailed overview of the 2023 Brake Safety Week results, visit www.cvsa.org/news/2023-bsw-results/. 

Tips for Truck Drivers to Prepare for Brake Safety Week: 

1. Do Your Homework: Educate yourself and your drivers on FMCSA brake regulations and maintenance tips before Brake Safety Week. The CVSA website offers a checklist: www.cvsa.org/wp-content/uploads/Brake-Inspection-Check-List.pdf. Also, ensure you have your driver’s license, registration and all necessary paperwork readily available in the cab to show inspectors. 

2. Know What Inspectors are Looking for: Inspectors will focus on your truck’s brake system components to identify out-of-adjustment brakes and brake-system violations. They will be checking for loose or missing parts, air or hydraulic fluid leaks, worn linings/pads/drums/rotors, faulty brake-system components and the functionality of the anti-lock braking system (ABS) indicator lights. 

3. Check Your Truck: Before hitting the road, perform a pre-trip brake inspection to test for leaks and examine your truck’s brake shoes. Walk around the vehicle, looking for loose hoses, leaks and listening for any air leaks. Check for low air signals, inspect air disc brake rotors for cracks and assess brake linings for thickness, cracks and wear. 

4. Make Repairs: If any cracks or issues are identified during the pre-trip inspection, it is essential to promptly address them. By ensuring your truck is in optimal condition before Brake Safety Week, you can prevent surprises, avoid being placed out-of-service, and  

Brake Safety Week, as part of the CVSA’s Operation Airbrake Program, serves as a crucial initiative to enhance roadway safety by addressing faulty brake systems on commercial motor vehicles. By conducting inspections, identifying violations and promoting outreach and awareness, this program aims to reduce the number of crashes caused or made more severe by brake-related issues. Truck drivers must prioritize regular brake maintenance and perform pre-trip inspections to ensure their vehicles are safe and compliant. By adhering to these practices, we can collectively contribute to safer roadways for all.  

For more information on Brake Safety Week, visit the CVSA website: www.cvsa.org/news/2024-bsw-dates/ 

Brake Safety Week 2024 provides a timely reminder of the importance of well-maintained brakes in ensuring road safety. Consider sending your drivers an email before August 25 to remind drivers to check their brakes. But if they do receive violations, the Pros Behind the Pros are here to fight for them in the court of original jurisdiction to protect their CDL and your company’s CSA score.