CVSA sets annual Brake Safety Week for late August
Carriers will need to make sure all of their trucks’ brake systems are in order in late August, as enforcement officials will hold a week-long enforcement spree focused on all things brakes.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced Wednesday its annual Brake Safety Week will proceed as scheduled on Aug. 23-29. Inspectors will be looking for critical out-of-service brake violations, along with other OOS violations.
Checking brake system components is always part of the roadside inspection process; however, inspectors will be paying special attention to brake hoses and tubing during this year’s Brake Safety Week to highlight the importance of those components to vehicle mechanical fitness and safety.
CVSA says hoses and tubing must be properly attached, undamaged, without leaks and appropriately flexible.
During the 2019 International Roadcheck inspection blitz, brake system and adjustment violations accounted for 45.1% of all OOS violations. During last year’s Brake Safety Week, 13.5% of all trucks inspected had brake-related violations and were placed out of service.
In addition to CVSA’s Brake Safety Week, August is also Brake Safety Awareness Month. Along with inspections and enforcement, law enforcement agencies also engage in outreach and awareness efforts to educate drivers, motor carriers, mechanics, owner-operators and others on the importance of proper brake maintenance, operation and performance.