During the event, which took place from August 25 to 31 across North America, certified inspectors from Canada, Mexico, and the United States examined 16,725 commercial vehicles. The results showed that a significant majority, 87%, were compliant with safety standards and could remain operational on public roads.

However, among the inspected vehicles, “2,149 of those vehicles had brake-related out-of-service violations, which is a 12.8% out-of-service rate,” according to the CVSA’s press release. Vehicles are classified as out of service when they fail to meet the critical inspection items outlined in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC). Such vehicles cannot resume travel until all identified issues are addressed.

Among the 2,149 vehicles with violations, 1,355, or 63.1%, were found to have stand-alone out-of-service brake violations. Meanwhile, 217 vehicles, accounting for 10.1%, had out-of-service violations related to the steering axle brakes. Furthermore, 1,216 vehicles, representing 56.6% of the total, did not meet the 20% defective brakes criteria, indicating that these vehicles had defective brakes comprising 20% or more of their braking system.

This year, Brake Safety Week highlighted lining and pad violations. Inspectors focused on identifying issues such as loose, missing, or worn brake linings/pads, as well as cracks or contamination. A total of 654 lining/pad violations were found across both power (tractor) and towed (trailer) units.

The event saw participation from 61 jurisdictions:

• In Canada, 1,926 inspections resulted in 243 brake-related out-of-service violations, translating to a 12.6% out-of-service rate, with 44 power units and 49 towed units showing lining/pad violations.

• Mexican inspectors conducted 107 inspections, finding six out-of-service violations—a 5.6% rate—with one power unit and five towed units having lining/pad issues.

• In the U.S., 14,692 inspections led to 1,900 out-of-service violations at a rate of 12.9%, with lining/pad violations noted on 310 power units and 172 towed units.

Additionally, 18 states used performance-based brake testers (PBBT) for 452 inspections, with a failure rate of 5.75%.

Brake Safety Week is an integral component of the CVSA’s Operation Airbrake Program, which is committed to enhancing brake safety in commercial vehicles throughout North America. The initiative aims to minimize accidents due to malfunctioning brakes by conducting roadside inspections and educating stakeholders on the significance of proper brake maintenance.

The next Brake Safety Week is set for August 24-30, 2025.

Source: The Trucker

The post Results of the 2024 Brake Safety Week Released by CVSA appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

In the U.S., 37 jurisdictions participated in this year’s Brake Safety Day, conducting 3,859 inspections across Levels I, IV, and V. Out of these, 448 commercial motor vehicles were taken out of service due to brake-related violations, representing an 11.6% out-of-service rate. Additionally, inspectors found brake lining/pad violations in 74 power units and 46 towed units.

Data from this year’s Brake Safety Day revealed that 570 out of the 4,898 inspected vehicles (11.6%) had critical brake-related issues, resulting in their immediate restriction from further travel until repairs were made.

Inspectors discovered that 330 commercial motor vehicles had 20% or more of their service brakes in an out-of-service condition, accounting for 57.9% of all brake-related out-of-service violations, making this the most common issue.

Other brake-related problems were found in 256 vehicles (44.9%), including worn brake lines/hoses, broken brake drums, malfunctioning tractor protection systems, inoperative low-air warning devices, air leaks, and hydraulic fluid leaks.

Steering-related brake violations were found in 73 commercial motor vehicles, comprising 12.8% of all brake-related out-of-service violations.

This year, particular attention was given to the condition of brake linings and pads. Violations in this area can lead to out-of-service conditions and can impact a motor carrier’s safety rating. Inspectors found brake lining/pad issues in 108 power units and 66 towed units.

A total of 114 brake lining/pad violations were identified in power units, with contamination being the most common issue (48 cases). In towed units, 71 brake lining/pad violations were found, with cracks/voids in the linings/pads being the top violation (23 cases).

Nine U.S. jurisdictions used performance-based brake testers (PBBT) during Brake Safety Day. A PBBT measures a vehicle’s braking performance, and vehicles must meet a minimum braking efficiency of 43.5% according to U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and CVSA’s North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria. Vehicles failing to meet this standard are taken out of service.

Of the 88 PBBT inspections conducted, four vehicles (4.5%) did not meet the 43.5% braking efficiency requirement and were placed out of service.

Every year, CVSA invites law enforcement jurisdictions to participate in a one-day, unannounced brake-safety inspection and enforcement event. On this day, CVSA-certified inspectors focus on brake systems and components during their routine roadside inspections and report brake-related data to CVSA.

The unannounced Brake Safety Day is part of Operation Airbrake, a CVSA initiative aimed at enhancing brake safety in commercial motor vehicles throughout North America. The next Operation Airbrake event, a week-long Brake Safety Week, is scheduled for August 25-31.

Source: Truckers News

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