Brake Safety Week 2023

Brake Safety Week set for August 20 - 26

What is Brake Safety Week?

Like International Road Check Week, Brake Safety Week is conducted by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) to ensure carriers are compliant to safety standards. From August 20 – 26, the CVSA in compliance with law enforcement, will inspect carriers with a usual inspection and then a special inspection of the condition of brake lining and pad issues. 

What is Inspected during Brake Safety Week?

During the week, the CVSA has announced the usual carrier inspection and a level IV inspection, which is a special type of inspection of a particular item. Here is a list of specific items planned to be checked:

• Check for missing, non-functioning, loose or cracked parts.
• Check for contaminated, worn, cracked and missing linings or pads.
• Check for S-cam flipover.
• Listen for audible air leaks around brake components and lines.
• Check that slack adjusters are the same length (from center of S-cam to center of clevis pin) and the air chambers on each axle are the same size.
• Ensure the brake system maintains air pressure between 90-100 psi (620-690 kPa) and measure pushrod travel.
• Inspect for non-manufactured holes (e.g., rust holes, holes created by rubbing or friction, etc.) and broken springs in the spring brake housing section of the parking brake.
• Inspect required brake system warning devices, such as anti-lock braking system (ABS) malfunction lamp(s) and low air-pressure warning devices.
• Inspect the tractor protection system, including the bleedback system on the trailer.
• Ensure the breakaway system is operable on the trailer.
  

How will Shippers be Affected?

While this week is not as big as International Road Check Week in May, it may still cause delays or capacity issues. Drivers must take time to complete the inspection which may cause a delay to the shipper or consignee. Typically, TLI notices that truckload drivers may take vacation during these weeks to avoid the burden of inspections. 

Navigating Brake Safety Week

The week is nothing to be frightened of. TLI navigated International Road Check, or DOT Week, in May perfectly fine and is ready to tackle this week for our shippers. Be sure to give ample time to route your freight that week if possible, and make sure there is added flexibility to transit times. If there isn't, TLI will take pre-cautions for you.

Results from International Road Check in May

The CVSA has released the results of the 72-hour International Road Check initiative from May 16-18, nearly 60,000 commercial motor vehicles underwent inspection across North America. Remarkably, 81% of these vehicles and 94.5% of drivers were found free of out-of-service violations, ensuring safe and uninterrupted journeys. Conversely, 19% of vehicles displayed at least one out-of-service violation, leading to the removal of 11,270 vehicles until corrections were made, with a total of 17,479 vehicle out-of-service violations identified. This comprehensive initiative underscores the industry's dedication to road safety and the ongoing efforts to maintain rigorous standards in commercial transportation.