With just about a month left until the Commercial Vehicle Safety Allianceโs Brake Safety Week, its time to begin thinking about your truckโs brakes.ย
Brake Safety Week will take place Sept. 16-22 with CVSA-certified enforcement personnel conducting roadside inspections on commercial motor vehicles to identify and remove those with critical brake violations from our roadways and to call attention to the dangers of faulty brake systems.
Properly functioning brake systems are crucial to safe CMV operation. Brakes must be routinely inspected and carefully and consistently maintained so they operate and perform to the manufacturerโs specifications throughout the life of the vehicle. Improperly installed or poorly maintained brake systems can reduce braking efficiency.
Last year, 14 percent of CMVโs were placed out of service for brake-related violations.
During Brake Safety Week, inspectors will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection, which is a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness. Inspections conducted will include inspection of brake-system components to identify loose or missing parts; air or hydraulic fluid leaks; defective rotor conditions; measurement of pushrod travel; mismatched air chamber sizes across axles; air reservoir integrity and mounting; worn linings, pads, drums or rotors; required brake-system warning devices; and other brake-system components.
Check your truckโs brakes and make any repairs as soon as possible.
