Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025:
- Brake Safety Week results are in, and OOS violation numbers are up year-over-year.
- More truck parking along I-90 in this upper Midwest state, ranking No. 7 for best parking options in Overdrive's recently released Truckers' Highway Report Card.
- TA expands network with three new truck stops.
Brake Safety Week sees 2,300 trucks OOS for brake-related viols
A large majority of trucks inspected during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Brake Safety Week in August did not have any out-of-service brake violations that deemed them unsafe to proceed on their route.
There were, however, 2,296 trucks placed OOS due to brake-related violations, leading to a 15.1% OOS rate for the blitz. Inspectors in 52 jurisdictions throughout North America conducted 15,175 commercial motor vehicle inspections with a focus on brake systems and components during the week.
The out-of-service violations are up from the 2024 Brake Safety Week blitz, which saw 2,149 out of 16,725 commercial motor vehicles inspected placed out of service.
While inspections are conducted throughout the year to ensure trucks are operating in safe and compliant condition, CVSA devotes a week each year to brake-safety inspections, enforcement and education because brake-related violations continue to be the most cited out-of-service vehicle violation during roadside inspections. As an owner-operator is well aware, too, properly functioning brakes are crucial to safe operation.
During the seven days of the brake-safety inspection and enforcement initiative, in the U.S., inspectors conducted 13,700 inspections and discovered 2,035 (14.9%) brake-related out-of-service violations. In Canada, inspectors conducted 1,459 inspections and discovered 260 (17.8%) brake-related out-of-service violations. In Mexico, inspectors conducted 16 inspections and discovered one (6.3%) brake-related out-of-service violations.
[Related: The toughest 10 states for brake inspections, as blitz kicks off]
The most-cited reason a truck was placed out of service during the week was because 20% or more of the vehicle’s (or combination of vehicles’) service brakes had an out-of-service condition. Inspectors identified 1,199 such violations, which is a 52.2% out-of-service rate.
In addition to the 20% rule, "other brake violations" accounted for the next highest number of OOS violations, followed by brake hoses/tubes.CVSA
In addition to the other brake components that are examined as part of a routine North American Standard Inspection, inspectors provided violation data for drums and rotors, the focus for this year’s brake safety initiative. There were 113 drum and rotor violations, and 39 commercial motor vehicles were placed out of service for rotor and/or drum violations.
Fifteen states with performance-based brake testers (PBBT) conducted 528 inspections using their PBBTs during this year’s Brake Safety Week. Regulations require the combination of vehicles to have a minimum braking efficiency rating of 43.5% in order to pass a PBBT Inspection. Twenty-five (4.7%) vehicles failed to meet the required 43.5% minimum braking efficiency rate and were placed out of service. On the other hand, 503 of the vehicles tested passed the PBBT Inspection.
Next year’s Brake Safety Week is scheduled for Aug. 23-29, 2026.
[Related: Roadcheck results: 10K vehicles, 3K drivers sidelined for OOS violations]
Wisconsin rest area reopening with expanded truck parking
Truck drivers traveling along I-90 through Wisconsin have more space to park in the western part of the state with the completion of a rest area rebuild in Sparta, Wisconsin.
The rebuild modernized the facility, increased truck parking and improved accessibility at the facility, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Wisconsin fared well in Overdrive's recently released Truckers' Highway Report Card, in which readers ranked the worst and best states for highway maintenance and parking. In addition to placing 7th for best parking, Wisconsin was just outside the top 10 for best roads. Download the full report via this link or the form below.
Originally built in 1969, the Sparta safety rest area had insufficient parking for commercial motor vehicles with only 16 truck parking stalls, along with outdated and undersized facilities.
Now, the updated rest area helps alleviate the national truck parking shortage by providing 70 truck parking spaces and a staging area for oversized/overweight vehicles. In addition, new signs along I-90 will proactively inform truck drivers of open spots at this safety rest area, as they look ahead on their route moving through western Wisconsin.
[Related: Truckers' 2025 Highway Report Card: Worst roads, states, parking]
“The cornerstone of the trucking industry is safety, and we appreciate the work of the Wisconsin DOT to bring this rest area to completion,” said Wisconsin Motor Carrier Association President Dan Johnson. “Truck drivers are the backbone of our economy, and this new rest area will support driver well-being, improve highway safety, and strengthen Wisconsin's supply chain. We thank the department for recognizing the essential role trucking plays in our state’s economy.”
In addition to significantly increasing the number of truck parking spaces, WisDOT modernized the safety rest area facility featuring better lighting, dedicated indoor space for vending options, drinking fountains with water bottle fillers and ADA-compliant restrooms. This safety rest area along I-90 near Sparta is the first state-owned facility in Wisconsin to include two new family-assisted restrooms with powered, height adjustable adult changing stations.
The location is anticipated to fully open to travelers in a few weeks. WisDOT is actively rebuilding two other safety rest areas in northeast Wisconsin along I-43 near Denmark and Maribel. Those rest areas are anticipated to open in summer 2026.
Three new TA Express locations now open
TravelCenters of America has opened three new TA Express locations in Texas, Indiana and Utah.
In Decatur, Texas, northwest of Dallas-Fort Worth off U.S. Highway 287, a new TA Express features 77 truck parking spaces, seven diesel lanes with DEF, Smoke House and Golden Chick restaurants with an onsite deli with freshly prepared BBQ and to-go options, and more.
In southern Indiana, off U.S. Highway 231, a new TA Express in Dale boasts 114 truck parking spaces, eight diesel lanes with DEF, Arby’s and Dunkin’ restaurants with onsite deli with freshly prepared to-go meals, and more.
Finally, in Fillmore, Utah, off I-15, a new TA Express offers 25 truck parking spaces, six diesel lanes with DEF, a Miss J’s Café with onsite deli, and more.
