This week, commercial motor vehicle inspectors throughout North America will focus on the importance of properly functioning and well-maintained brake systems by conducting brake-focused inspections as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week.
From Aug. 24-30, CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct routine commercial motor vehicle inspections, focusing on brake systems and components. Inspectors will record data about vehicle inspections and brake-related violations and submit that data to CVSA. The Alliance will report the results later this year.
Vehicles and vehicle combinations without any critical vehicle inspection items may receive a CVSA decal. If the inspector finds brake-related or any other out-of-service violations during an inspection, the vehicle and/or vehicle combination will be restricted from further travel until all out-of-service violations are addressed.
In addition to the other brake components that are examined as part of a routine North American Standard Inspection, inspectors will also focus on drums and rotors, the emphasis for this year’s brake safety initiative. Brake drums and rotors are important components of a vehicle’s brake system. Issues with drums and/or rotors may affect a vehicle’s brake efficiency. In addition, broken pieces of drums and/or rotors may become dislodged from the vehicle during travel and damage other vehicles or result in injuries or fatalities.
Some participating jurisdictions have performance-based brake testers (PBBT), which is a device that assesses the braking performance of vehicles. Those jurisdictions may elect to utilize their PBBTs during Brake Safety Week.
Brake safety educational efforts by inspectors, motor carriers, instructors and others will also take place this week and are integral to the success of Brake Safety Week. Such efforts shine a light on the importance of proper brake maintenance and encourage proactive examinations throughout the year – not just during the event. Identifying brake problems before they become major issues can prevent costly breakdowns and reduce the risk of a vehicle being placed out of service and/or receiving regulatory fines. To aid in educational outreach, CVSA offers a variety of free resources, such as brochures, checklists, informational postcards, etc.
Brake Safety Week helps ensure the safety of everyone on the road by focusing on one of the most critical components of a commercial motor vehicle – the braking system. The goal of Brake Safety Week is to eliminate roadway crashes by conducting roadside inspections and educating drivers, mechanics, large- and small-fleet motor carriers, owner-operators, and others on the importance of proper brake inspection, maintenance and operation.
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Original article published by CVSA