CVSA Schedules Brake Safety Week for Sept. 6-12
North American truck safety inspectors announced a special campaign to examine the brake systems of commercial vehicles during the week of Sept. 6-12.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, which represents law enforcement in the United States, Canada and Mexico, said July 21 that Brake Safety Week is an annual event for the truck and bus inspectors. The focus of the inspections will be out-of-adjustment brakes and brake-system violations.
Brake-related violations made up 46.2% of all out-of-service violations cited during International Roadcheck in 2014. There were more brake citations than any other single category, CVSA said.
“Improperly installed or poorly maintained brake systems can reduce the braking capacity and increase stopping distance of trucks and buses, which pose serious risks to driver and public safety,” CVSA said in announcing the inspection campaign.
Last year during Brake Safety Week, inspectors checked out 13,305 North American vehicles and placed 2,162 of them out of service for violations. The 2014 OOS rate was 16.2%, up from 13.5% in 2013 event.
More than 3.4 million brakes have been inspected since the program’s inception in 1998, CVSA said.
Brake violations are recorded by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in its Compliance, Safety, Accountability program. CSA places brakes in its maintenance category, often called a BASIC.
Detailed brake checks can include inspection of system components to identify loose or missing parts, air or hydraulic fluid leaks, worn linings, pads, drums or rotors, and other faulty components. Antilock braking system malfunction indicator lamps also are checked.
CVSA said inspectors will also measure pushrod stroke where applicable.
