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Source: cvsa.org
Brake-related violations remain the leading cause of out-of-service (OOS) violations during roadside inspections. In 2024, five of the top 20 vehicle violations reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration involved out-of-adjustment, defective or worn brakes. These issues also topped the list during last year’s CVSA International Roadcheck, accounting for 25% of all OOS violations during the three-day inspection event.
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 24-30. We’ve outlined everything you need to know about Brake Safety Week, including results from 2024 and how to check your brakes before this year’s inspections to see if they need to be serviced or replaced.
What is 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. 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 OOS violations will be removed from roadways and prohibited from operating until the brake violations are corrected.
Top Brake Violations in 2024
During the 2024 Brake Safety Week, inspectors examined 16,725 commercial motor vehicles. Of those, 2,149 (12.8%) had OOS violations and were removed from operation. Last year’s campaign placed special emphasis on brake lining and pad issues, resulting in 654 related violations. The most common problems were contaminated brake linings or pads (38%), followed by cracks and voids (27%).
In addition, more than 1,200 vehicles were taken out of service due to the Department of Transportation’s 20% brake criterion, which requires that a vehicle be taken off the road if 20% or more of its service brakes are found to be defective. While some violations — such as cracked linings, brake adjustment issues and loose chambers — may not be considered automatic OOS violations on their own, they can collectively lead to a vehicle being sidelined under this rule.
Some states also employed performance-based brake testers (PBBT) during Brake Safety Week to test braking performance. These machines measure the brake force and weight of each wheel to determine a vehicle’s overall braking efficiency. Nearly 30 trucks were placed out of service after failing to meet the minimum braking efficiency threshold of 43.5%.
2024 Brake Safety Week Violation Summary
- Stand-alone brake OOS violations – 1,355 (63.1% of OOS violations)
- Steering axle brake OOS violations – 217 (10.1% of OOS violations)
- 20% defective brake criterion OOS violations – 1,216 (56.6% of OOS violations)
- Brake lining/pad violations – 654
- PBBT failures – 26 (5.75% of PBBT inspections)
Preparing for the 2025 Brake Safety Week
Before Brake Safety Week rolls around, it’s recommended that you thoroughly inspect the brake system on each of your vehicles, and service or replace parts as needed. The CVSA provides resources for drivers and mechanics to help simplify this process.
S-Cam Brake Inspection Checklist
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, and how to measure the pushrod stroke and check the brake adjustment.
Brake Chamber Stroke Measurement Guide
Stroke limits specified by U.S. regulations help technicians and enforcement personnel inspect and identify brakes that may not be properly adjusted. Keeping a brake chamber pushrod within these regulatory stroke limits ensures there is sufficient pushrod travel to apply full force to the foundation brake under all operating conditions. The CVSA’s Air Brake Pushrod Stroke brochure provides excellent tips on measuring and tracking pushrod stroke leading up to Brake Safety Week.
Brake Drum and Rotor Inspection Tips
During this year’s Brake Safety Week, inspectors will be paying special attention to the condition of brake drums and air disc brake rotors. Cracked or broken brake drums and rotors are considered automatic OOS violations and must be replaced immediately. Left unaddressed, damaged drums or rotors can lead to debris detaching during transit, posing serious safety risks, including vehicle damage, injury or even death.
To help ensure your brake system stays in top shape, the CVSA recommends the following tips.
General inspection guidelines:
- Include drum brakes or rotors in daily pre- and post-trip inspections, making sure to check all visible components.
- Ensure all repairs are consistent with the brake manufacturer’s requirements and guidelines.
- Document any issues in your Driver Vehicle Inspection Report and report them to your motor carrier.
For vehicles with drum brakes:
- Look for cracks that run through the outer portion of the drum.
- Check for any visibly missing or broken pieces.
For vehicles with air disc brakes:
- Look for cracks or broken pieces on the friction surface of the rotor.
- Watch for heavy rust covering the friction surface of the rotor. This may be an indication that the brake is inoperable.
- Check for grooves on the rotor, which signals metal-to-metal contact caused by worn brake pads.
- Ensure the rotor is not worn to the extent that the center vents are exposed.
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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