Over 500 Commercial Vehicles Pulled for Brake Violations

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In a significant enforcement event, more than 500 commercial motor vehicles were removed from North American roadways due to brake violations. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) conducted nearly 5,000 inspections across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., revealing critical safety issues in a portion of these vehicles.

Key Highlights:

• 4,898 inspections conducted across North America
• 570 vehicles found with critical brake violations
• 57.9% of violations due to 20% brake issues
• 44.9% of vehicles had other brake-related issues
• 12.8% involved steering-related brake violations
• Emphasis on brake lining/pad health and safety

Inspectors in 47 jurisdictions throughout Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. conducted 4,898 commercial motor vehicle inspections in one day as part of the CVSA’s brake-safety inspection and enforcement event.

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.

Inspection Results: This year’s Brake Safety Day data revealed that out of the 4,898 inspections conducted, 88.4% (4,328 vehicles) did not have any brake-related out-of-service violations. However, 11.6% (570 vehicles) were found with brake-related critical inspection item vehicle violations and were immediately restricted from further travel until the critical violations could be properly addressed.

Inspectors identified 330 commercial motor vehicles with 20% brake violations, meaning 20% or more of the vehicle’s service brakes had an out-of-service condition resulting in a defective brake. This was the top Brake Safety Day violation, accounting for 57.9% of all brake-related out-of-service violations.

Inspectors also 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 devices, air leaks, hydraulic fluid leaks, etc.

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

Brake Lining/Pad Data: This year, there was an emphasis on brake lining/pad health and safety. Brake lining/pad issues may result in violations or out-of-service conditions and may affect a motor carrier’s safety rating. 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, with 23 violations for cracks/voids in the linings/pads being the most common.

PBBT Data: Nine U.S. jurisdictions with performance-based brake testers (PBBT) utilized them during Brake Safety Day. A PBBT is a machine that assesses the braking performance of a vehicle. U.S. 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 43.5%, 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.

Regional Data:

• U.S.: 37 jurisdictions participated, conducting 3,859 inspections. 448 vehicles were placed out of service, with an 11.6% out-of-service rate.
• Canada: Inspectors in nine provinces and territories conducted 1,021 inspections. 117 vehicles were removed from roadways, with an 11.5% out-of-service rate.
• Mexico: 18 inspections were conducted, with 5 vehicles placed out of service, resulting in a 27.8% out-of-service rate.

CVSA’s unannounced Brake Safety Day is part of Operation Airbrake, a CVSA 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.