The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is planning its annual Brake Safety Week for Sept. 11-17.
CVSA inspectors will focus on brakes in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
More than 50 percent of commercial motor vehicle out-of-service violations cited during roadside inspections were for brake-related violations, according to CVSA Roadcheck 2011 data.
CVSA is working with drivers, mechanics and others during the week of Sept. 11-17, Brake Safety Week, to enhance knowledge, regulatory compliance and performance of CMV braking systems.
“One of the major goals of Brake Safety Week is to educate drivers, mechanics and others on the importance of proper adjustment, maintenance and operation to ensure every commercial vehicle is operating safely and, ultimately, to save lives,” said Stephen Keppler, CVSA executive director.
During Brake Safety Week, CVSA-certified inspectors, brake suppliers and industry partners conduct enforcement and education activities with drivers and mechanics at truckstops, weigh stations and other locations. This weeklong campaign is part of CVSA’s ongoing Operation Air Brake effort dedicated to improving inspection, compliance, maintenance and performance of commercial vehicle braking systems throughout North America. It is conducted with and supported in part by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
In addition to conducting roadside inspections, enforcement will be deploying performance-based brake testers in several participating jurisdictions and at inspection locations. During this year, as part of Operation Air Brake, CVSA developed two portable brake adjustment demonstration models that have been used at industry events to demonstrate and illustrate the importance of proper brake adjustment.
