The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) recently released the results of this year’s Brake Safety Day, reporting that 574 commercial motor vehicles were placed out of service because of brake-related safety violations.
The one-day enforcement initiative took place on April 14 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. During the operation, inspectors completed 4,021 commercial vehicle inspections focused specifically on brake system safety and compliance.
According to CVSA, approximately 14.3% of inspected vehicles were removed from service after inspectors identified brake-related violations severe enough to make continued operation unsafe. Meanwhile, 85.7% of inspected vehicles passed without any brake-related out-of-service violations.
Brake Safety Day Focused on Critical Brake Components
This year’s Brake Safety Day placed special emphasis on brake drums and rotors, both of which play critical roles in commercial vehicle stopping performance.
Inspectors identified 43 brake drum and rotor violations during the enforcement event. Of those, 21 violations were serious enough to place the vehicle immediately out of service.
Brake system problems remain one of the leading causes of commercial vehicle out-of-service violations across North America. Therefore, CVSA continues conducting annual brake-focused inspections to improve highway safety and encourage proper vehicle maintenance.
Major Brake Violations Identified During Inspections
CVSA reported several common brake-related violations discovered during the inspection blitz.
Among the most significant findings:
- 313 vehicles met the 20% defective brake threshold required for out-of-service violations
- 121 out-of-service violations involved damaged brake hoses or tubing
- 47 steering axle brake violations resulted in out-of-service orders
- 40 vehicles failed mandatory air loss rate tests
- 193 additional brake-related violations were also identified
According to CVSA, any brake system defect that reduces stopping capability or creates unsafe operating conditions can result in a vehicle being placed out of service until repairs are completed.
As a result, fleets and owner-operators are being reminded once again about the importance of regular brake inspections and preventative maintenance programs.
Performance-Based Brake Testing Expands
In addition to standard roadside inspections, CVSA also used performance-based brake testers (PBBTs) during this year’s enforcement campaign.
A total of 349 inspections across 10 U.S. jurisdictions used the testing technology to measure actual braking efficiency. These systems provide inspectors with more precise data about a vehicle’s stopping performance.
Vehicles are required to meet a minimum braking efficiency standard of 43.5%. However, 26 commercial vehicles failed to meet that requirement and were immediately placed out of service.
CVSA says performance-based brake testing continues improving inspection accuracy while helping identify vehicles with hidden brake system problems that may not be immediately visible during visual inspections alone.
Brake Maintenance Remains Critical for Fleets
Brake-related violations continue to be a major safety concern throughout the trucking industry. Consequently, CVSA encourages fleets and drivers to perform regular brake inspections, address maintenance issues quickly, and ensure all brake components remain in safe operating condition.
Proper brake maintenance not only helps carriers avoid out-of-service violations but also reduces accident risks and improves overall highway safety.
With thousands of inspections conducted during Brake Safety Day, CVSA’s latest results highlight the continued importance of preventative maintenance and strong safety compliance practices across commercial trucking operations.
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