Brake Safety Inspection Week 2019

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced that this year’s Brake Safety Week is scheduled for September 15-21, 2019.

Although inspections happen all year long, there are several inspection blitzes a year focusing on different aspects of commercial motor vehicles (CMV). While checking brake systems is always part of the North American Standard Inspection Program, brake hoses and tubing are being highlighted to remind of the importance to a vehicle’s health and safety.

Brake Safety Week

According to last year’s 3-day International Roadcheck, 45 percent of all out-of-service (OOS) vehicle violations came from out-of-adjustment brakes and brake-system violations.

“We all know how important a properly functioning brake system is to vehicle operation,” said CVSA President Chief Jay Thompson with the Arkansas Highway Police. “All components of the brake system must always be in proper operating condition. Brake systems and their parts and components must be routinely checked and carefully and consistently maintained to ensure the health and safety of the overall vehicle.”

Avoiding Out-of-Service Violations

Vehicle braking efficiency will be measured by performance-based brake testers (PBBT). PBBTs determine the overall brake force over total gross weight of a vehicle. § 393.52 states the minimum required braking efficiency to be 43.5 percent for vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or more

CMV’s brake hoses and tubing must be attached properly, without damage or leaks and with the appropriate flexibility to pass inspection.

Vehicles with critical inspection violations will be placed out-of-service and restricted from traveling until the problems are corrected. Vehicles with no major inspection violations are eligible for a CVSA decal indicating they passed inspection.

Alongside the inspections, law enforcement agencies aim to educate and bring awareness of the importance of brake safety to drivers, owner-operators, mechanics, motor carriers and others.

For more information regarding CVSA’s Brake Safety Week, click here.

Operation Airbrake Program

Operation Airbrake is a comprehensive program dedicated to improving commercial vehicle brake safety throughout North America.

Brake Safety Week is part of the Operation Airbrake Program sponsored by CVSA, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators.

Leave a Reply