Brake Violations Put 500-Plus Commercial Motor Vehicles Out of Service

Commercial vehicle inspectors put 570 commercial motor vehicles out of service for brake-related violations during the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual unannounced Brake Safety Day. That was 11.6% of the 4,898 inspections done by inspectors in 47 jurisdictions throughout Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

Each year, CVSA law enforcement jurisdictions are invited to participate in a one-day unannounced brake-safety inspection and regulatory compliance enforcement event.

On that day, CVSA-certified commercial motor vehicle inspectors conduct their routine roadside inspections with a focus on brake systems and components and provide brake-related inspection and violation data to CVSA.

In 2023, inspectors put 773 CMVs out of service for brake-related issues during Brake Safety Day, or 11.3% of the vehicles checked.

What Was the Most Common Brake-Related Out-of-Service Violation?

The most common cause of brake-related out-of-service violations was 20% brake violations, meaning 20% or more of service brakes on the vehicle(s) had an out-of-service condition resulting in a defective brake.

330 commercial motor vehicles were put out of service for this offense — 57.9% of all brake-related out-of-service violations.

Inspectors found other brake violations on 256 (44.9%) of the commercial motor vehicles inspected, including:

• Worn brake lines/hoses
• Broken brake drums
• Inoperative tractor protection systems
• Inoperative low-air warning device
• Air leaks, hydraulic fluid leaks, etc.

Seventy-three commercial motor vehicles had steering-related brake violations — 12.8% of all brake-related out-of-service violations.

Top Brake Lining/Pad Violations

This year, emphasis was placed on brake lining/pad health and safety. Inspectors found 108 power units and 66 towed units with lining/pad violations.

A total of 114 brake lining/pad violations were discovered on power units. The top brake lining/pad violation on power units was for contamination, with 48 violations.

Seventy-one brake lining/pad violations were identified on towed units. Twenty-three of the violations were for cracks/voids in the linings/pads, which was the top brake lining/pad violation on towed units.­­

Performance-Based Brake Testers

Nine U.S. jurisdictions with performance-based brake testers (PBBT) used them during Brake Safety Day.

A PBBT is a machine that assesses the braking performance of a vehicle. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and CVSA’s North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria require a minimum braking efficiency of 43.5%. If the vehicle’s braking efficiency is below that, it’s not providing the minimum stopping power required and needs to be serviced.

Eighty-eight PBBT inspections were conducted on Brake Safety Day. Four (4.5%) failed to meet the 43.5% minimum braking efficiency required and were placed out of service.

Mark Your Calendar for More Brake-Focused Enforcement Initiatives

CVSA’s unannounced Brake Safety Day is part of Operation Airbrake, a program dedicated to improving commercial motor vehicle brake safety throughout North America. CVSA’s seven-day Brake Safety Week, another Operation Airbrake campaign, is scheduled for Aug. 25-31.