Did you know that there have been more than 3.4 million brakes inspected since the program’s inception in 1998?
As we prepare for CVSA’s Brake Safety Week Aug. 25-31, we get a peak into what to expect from their Brake Safety Day data that was released June 10.
This was an unannounced one-day brake safety enforcement initiative, which can be held at any time, where CVSA-certified commercial motor vehicle (CMVs) inspectors conduct routine roadside inspections with a focus on brake systems and components.
What can we learn grom the blitz?
What did the one-day brake blitz find?
This year’s Brake Safety Day data found that of the 4,898 inspections conducted, inspectors identified 570 (11.6%) CMVs that were traveling on roadways with brake-related critical inspection item vehicle violations.
Those vehicles were immediately restricted from further travel until the critical violations could be properly addressed.
Inspectors found:
- 20% or more of the vehicle’s (or combination of vehicles) service brakes had an out-of-service condition resulting in a defective brake. That was the top Brake Safety Day violation, accounting for 57.9% of all brake-related out-of-service violations.
- 256 (44.9%) of the CMVs inspected had other brake violations, which include worn brake lines/hoses, broken brake drums, inoperative tractor protection system, inoperative low-air warning device, air leaks, hydraulic fluid leaks, etc.
- 73 CMVs had steering-related brake violations, or 12.8% of all brake-related out-of-service violations.
What can we expect from Brake Safety Week and the Brake Lining/Pad focus?
CVSA scheduled Brake Safety Week from Aug. 25-31 will have the focus around the brake linings and pads conditions.
Brake lining/pad issues may result in violations or out-of-service conditions and may affect a motor carrier’s safety rating.
During the recent one-day inspection, inspectors found 108 power units and 66 towed units with lining/pad violations.
- The top brake lining/pad violation on power units was for contamination, with 48 violations.
- The top brake lining/pad violation on towed units was for cracks/voids in the linings/pads, with 23 violations.
Some tips from CVSA to help drivers pass their inspections include:
- Inspect visible portions of the brake lining and pads as part of your pre- and post-trip inspections.
- Look for signs of missing lining, such as grooves in the drum from rivet contact.
- Look at the shoe-to-drum clearance and ensure there is adequate lining on the shoe.
- Look for any signs of leaks from the hub or other components that may be contaminating the lining/pad surface.
- Ensure there are no missing lining blocks/pads.
- Check for visible cracks or voids in the lining block.
- Check for any exposed rivets or lining blocks that look loose on the shoe.
- On disc brakes, pay particular attention to the condition of the rotor, such as heavily rusted rotors across the entire friction surface on either side or metal-to-metal contact.
- Make sure all repairs are consistent with the brake manufacturer’s requirements and guidelines.
- Note any issues in your driver vehicle inspection reports and report them to the motor carrier to have the defective linings/pads repaired.
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