The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has announced that this year's Brake Safety Week will take place from Sept. 6 - 12.

During Brake Safety Week, law enforcement agencies across North America conduct brake system inspections on large trucks and buses to identify out-of-adjustment brakes and brake-system violations. Outreach and educational efforts are carried out by CMV inspectors, participating motor carriers and others.

Participating agencies inspected 13,305 vehicles during last year’s Brake Safety Week and placed 2,162 commercial vehicles out of service for violations. Of the vehicles inspected, the out-of-service rate for all brake-related violations in North America was 16.2% compared with 13.5% for 2013. The out-of-service rate for brake adjustment was 10.4% and the out-of-service rate for brake components was 9.3%.

Brake inspections include inspection of brake-system components to identify loose or missing parts, air or hydraulic fluid leaks, worn linings, pads, drums or rotors and other faulty components. Antilock braking system malfunction indicator lamps are also checked.

Inspectors examine brake components and measure pushrod stroke where applicable. Defective or out-of-adjustment brakes result in the vehicle being placed out of service.

Since the program was started in 1998, more than 3.4 million brakes have been inspected.

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