Throughout the week, CVSA-certified inspectors will be stopping commercial motor vehicles to check brake systems and reinforce the importance of routine brake maintenance. The campaign has a dual purpose: to remove unsafe trucks from highways and to remind drivers, fleets, and mechanics about the role brakes play in preventing crashes.

According to CVSA, the 2025 focus will again highlight drums and rotors. “Brake drum and rotor issues may affect a vehicle’s brake efficiency,” the alliance explained in a recent statement. “Broken pieces of drums and rotors become dislodged from the vehicle and damage other vehicles or result in injuries or fatalities to the motoring public.”

Any truck or bus found with brake-related out-of-service violations or other serious safety issues will be placed out of service until repairs are made.

Last year’s Brake Safety Week gave inspectors plenty of work. More than 16,700 inspections were conducted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2024. Roughly 87 percent of the vehicles passed without brake-related violations, but 2,149 trucks and buses (12.8 percent) were ordered off the road.

The data also showed that more than 63 percent of those out-of-service orders were tied specifically to brake defects. Just over 10 percent were due to steering axle brake violations. In total, 1,216 vehicles failed the 20 percent defective brakes criterion, accounting for 56.6 percent of all brake-related violations recorded.

The ultimate goal, CVSA says, is to reduce crashes by ensuring every truck and bus on the highway has brakes that work as designed. Brake Safety Week gives inspectors an opportunity to identify problems before they cause an accident and to remind drivers and carriers that consistent inspection and maintenance are key to safety.

Results from previous Brake Safety Week campaigns can be found here.

Source: Land Line Media

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Focus for 2025

This year, inspectors will place a particular emphasis on drums and rotors, performing routine checks on brake systems and components. This targeted focus aligns with CVSA’s mission to enhance road safety by ensuring the functionality and reliability of vital braking components.

Addressing Violations and Key Statistics

Vehicles with brake-related out-of-service violations or any other critical safety violations will be barred from use until the issues are resolved. According to statistics from last year’s Brake Safety Week:

• A total of 16,725 inspections were conducted.
• Out of these, 2,149 vehicles were found to have brake-related out-of-service violations, reflecting a 8% out-of-service rate.
• Among the vehicles taken out of service:
  • 1% had stand-alone brake violations.
  • 1% were cited for steering axle brake violations.

Data Collection and Analysis

Throughout the week, inspectors will capture detailed data on inspections, brake systems, and violations. Some regions will use performance-based brake testers (PBBTs) to evaluate braking efficiency and contribute data to the CVSA’s ongoing research. CVSA will analyze this data and release the findings later this year.

Importance of Brake Safety

Brake Safety Week isn’t just about inspections; it’s a collaborative effort to educate industry stakeholders. Motor carriers, drivers, owner-operators, and mechanics are encouraged to prepare using resources provided by CVSA, which include maintenance guides and tips for ensuring brake system reliability.

This initiative is a critical step toward improving road safety and reducing accidents caused by brake failures. Make sure you’re prepared and compliant before August 24!

Source: Truckers News

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