CVSA to continue two annual brake safety campaigns – one unannounced
Commercial Vehicle Safety Administration’s Operation Airbrake Program will not be a weeklong event in 2017 as it has been in previous years. CVSA will hold two annual brake safety campaigns in 2017. There will be a surprise, unannounced brake safety enforcement campaign which will be held at any time throughout the year and there will be a one-day brake safety enforcement campaign which will be held on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017.
During both the announced and unannounced brake safety enforcement campaigns, CMV inspectors will conduct brake system inspections (primarily Level IV Inspections) on large trucks and buses throughout North America to identify out-of-adjustment brakes and brake system violations. The week is an annual outreach and enforcement campaign designed to improve commercial vehicle brake safety throughout North America.
Last year, inspectors conducted over 18,000 inspections with nearly 2,400 trucks placed out-of-service for brake violations and nearly 2,700 trucks placed out-of-service for a non-brake-related violation.
CVSA says properly functioning brake systems are crucial to safe commercial motor vehicle operation. CMV brakes are designed to hold up under tough conditions, but they must be inspected and maintained carefully and consistently so they operate and perform properly throughout the vehicle’s life. Improperly installed or poorly maintained brake systems can reduce the braking capacity and stopping distance of trucks and buses, which poses a serious risk to driver and public safety.
Outreach and educational efforts by CMV inspectors, participating motor carriers and others in the industry also take place during this brake safety campaign and are integral to the success of the campaign.
Operation Airbrake is a CVSA program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
More than 3.4 million brakes have been inspected since the program’s inception in 1998.
