Brake Safety Matters — Stay Ahead of the Curve

Year after year, brake-related violations consistently rank as one of the top reasons commercial vehicles are taken out of service during inspections, according to CVSA reports. For trucks, brake systems are the unsung heroes of road safety. A compromised braking system can quickly escalate a routine drive into a life-threatening situation. Despite their critical role, faulty brakes continue to top the list of violations found during roadside checks, putting drivers, fleets, and the public at risk.

To proactively address these risks, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) organizes annual enforcement campaigns like Brake Safety Week and Operation Airbrake, emphasizing inspection readiness, education, and mechanical compliance.

Why Brake Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility

Brake safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about saving lives. When commercial vehicles cannot stop in time, the consequences can be catastrophic. Poor brake conditions contribute to:

• Increased stopping distances

• Cargo instability

• Greater crash risk

• Unexpected downtime and repair costs

Proper brake maintenance goes far beyond mechanical upkeep—it represents a shared duty of care for drivers, carriers, and maintenance personnel.

What Is CVSA’s Brake Safety Campaign?

CVSA’s Brake Safety Campaign is a North American initiative to spotlight brake system performance through roadside inspections and awareness efforts. Two key components include:

• Brake Safety Week: An annual, week-long inspection event where enforcement officials conduct thousands of brake-focused inspections.

• Unannounced Brake Safety Day: A one-day event without prior public notice, targeting real-world brake system conditions and compliance.

These campaigns aren’t just about writing violations—they’re intended to prevent crashes by identifying problems before they lead to tragedy.

Key Brake Safety Statistics

• 2024 Brake Safety Week: Over 16,700 inspections were performed, and 87% of vehicles passed without brake-related out-of-service violations.

• 2024 Unannounced Inspection Day: Out of 4,898 commercial vehicles inspected, 570 (or 11.6%) were placed out of service due to brake-related critical violations.

• Brake Systems = Top Offender: Year after year, brake violations remain the most common cause for vehicles being sidelined during roadside checks.(Source: CVSA.org)

These numbers highlight the scale of the issue and the potential to make meaningful improvements through consistent maintenance.

Compliance and CSA Scores: What’s at Stake?

Brake safety doesn’t just affect vehicles—it directly impacts a carrier’s CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) score. Brake-related violations fall under the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC, and repeated issues can trigger higher scores, resulting in:

• Increased scrutiny by regulators

• Higher insurance premiums

• Disqualification from lucrative contracts

Understanding how brake issues influence these scores is essential for fleet managers and owner-operators. Check out this article: CSA Scores—What About Brakes?

How Drivers and Fleets Can Stay Ahead

Being proactive can mean the difference between a safe trip and a costly out-of-service order. Here’s how to stay ahead of the curve:

1. Pre-Trip Checks: Make brake inspections a non-negotiable part of your daily walkaround.

2. Listen to the Vehicle: Don’t ignore unusual noises, delayed stops, or warning lights.

3. Know Your Equipment: Especially with air brake systems—understand how components like slack adjusters work.

4. Keep Up with Training: Ensure all drivers and maintenance staff are well-versed in brake safety protocols.

5. Respond Quickly: Address issues promptly to avoid long-term damage and penalties.

Final Thoughts: Safety Starts at the Brake Pedal

Brake safety isn’t seasonal—it’s essential. Campaigns like Brake Safety Week spotlight a topic that should always be top of mind. When fleets embrace a culture of routine inspection, informed training, and preventive care, they protect not just themselves but every motorist sharing the road.

Safe brakes save lives—and they also save reputations, contracts, and careers.