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Sources: cvsa.org and fmcsa.dot.gov
A study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) over two years found that brake-related issues caused 29% of crashes involving large trucks. Brakes are essential for ensuring the safety of truck drivers and everyone around them, and neglecting brake maintenance can lead to crashes, injuries and even fatalities.
For this reason, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) dedicates an entire week to identifying commercial motor vehicle brake issues and raising awareness about the importance of proper brake inspection, maintenance and operation.
This year’s CVSA Brake Safety Week is scheduled for August 25−31, 2024. We’ve outlined everything you need to know about Brake Safety Week, including results from 2023 and how to check your brakes before this year’s inspections to see if they need to be serviced or replaced.
2024 CVSA Brake Safety Week
Brake Safety Week is an annual weeklong inspection and compliance enforcement event run by the CVSA in the United States, Canada and Mexico. During the last week of August, CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct routine commercial motor vehicle inspections, placing a special focus on brake systems and components. Vehicles found to have brake-related out-of-service violations (OOS) will be removed from roadways and prohibited from operating until the brake violations are corrected.
Performance-based brake testers (PBBT) will also be used in certain states during Brake Safety Week to test vehicle braking performance. PBBT machines measure the brake force and weight of each wheel to determine a vehicle’s overall braking efficiency. Trucks with a braking efficiency below 43.5% will be placed out of service.
Brake Violations in 2023
Brake-related violations are the most common OOS violations identified during roadside inspections. In 2023, six out of the top 20 vehicle violations reported by the FMCSA were linked to out-of-adjustment, defective or worn brakes. Brake-system issues were also the top vehicle violations found during the 2023 CVSA International Roadcheck, amounting to 25.2% of all OOS violations during that three-day inspection period.
During Brake Safety Week in 2023, 18,875 commercial motor vehicles were inspected. Of those, 2,375 (12.6%) vehicles were found to have OOS violations and removed from operation. Violations that automatically placed trucks out of service included:
- Broken brake drums
- Loose air tanks
- Corroded holes in spring brake housing
- Inoperative tractor protection valves
Nearly 1,400 vehicles were taken out of service due to the Department of Transportation’s 20% brake criterion, which mandates that a vehicle be removed from the road if 20% or more of its service brakes are defective. Some service brake violations, such as cracked linings, brake adjustment and loose chambers, may not be considered automatic OOS violations but can combine to put a vehicle out of service under the 20% criterion.
2023 Brake Safety Week Violation Summary
- 20% defective brake criterion OOS violations – 1,394 (58.7%)
- Stand-alone brake OOS violations – 1,127 (47.5%)
- Steering axle brake OOS violations – 295 (12.4%)
- Brake lining/pad violations – 379 (15.9%)
- 18 PBBT failures (4.5% of 397 PBBT inspections)
Brake Inspection Checklist
Before Brake Safety Week on August 25−31, it’s recommended that you thoroughly inspect the brake system on your vehicle, and service or replace parts as needed.
The Brake Inspection Checklist provided by the CVSA covers all brake components inspected during a standard Brake Safety Week Inspection and will walk you through which components to check, how to measure the pushrod stroke and check the brake adjustment.
How to Check Your Brake Linings and Pads
This year’s Brake Safety Week inspectors will be paying special attention to the condition of brake linings and pads. Brake lining and pad violations are not necessarily OOS violations unless they’re on the steering axle. However, they can affect a motor carrier’s safety rating and lead to more serious problems if left unaddressed. They can also be combined under the 20% criterion and potentially place a vehicle out of service.
Below are a few tips from the CVSA to ensure your brake linings and pads are in peak condition.
- Always check all visible portions of the brake linings and pads when conducting pre- and post-trip inspections.
- Look for visible cracks or voids in the lining block.
- Ensure there are no missing lining blocks/pads. Grooves in the drum from rivet contact may indicate a missing lining.
- Measure the shoe-to-drum clearance and the lining thickness on the shoe.
- Check for leaks from the hub or other brake components that may be contaminating the surface of the lining/pad. Linings and pads can absorb oil and other lubricants over time, leading to contamination and decreased brake performance.
- Inspect for any loose rivets or lining blocks on the shoe.
- Pay attention to the condition of the rotor on air disc brakes. Look for heavily rusted rotors or metal-to-metal contact.
- Note any issues in your driver vehicle inspection reports and report them to the motor carrier, or schedule a service appointment to have the defective linings/pads repaired or replaced.
Same-Day Brake Service Available at Rush Truck Centers
Ignoring brake issues can lead to breakdowns and accidents that cause harm, downtime, loss of revenue and potential violations. And remember, your vehicle can be chosen for an inspection anywhere and at any time, not just during Brake Safety Week.
The best way to ensure your brakes operate at maximum performance and efficiency is to stay on top of preventive maintenance and regularly inspect and service the brake system and its components.
Rush Truck Centers has more than 140 locations nationwide that offer comprehensive same-day brake system inspections and service. Our factory-trained technicians will inspect and service brake pads, rotors, brake shoes and drums, and provide per-axle prices for parts and labor. Contact us today to request a service appointment.
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