Brake Safety Week 2023: 1,900 U.S. Vehicles Taken Off the Road

During the annual Brake Safety Week held in August, inspectors across the United States removed nearly 1,900 commercial vehicles from the roads due to safety violations. This inspection blitz, part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) efforts, took place from August 25 to 31. In total, inspectors completed 14,692 inspections on commercial motor vehicles throughout the U.S. This wasn't just a U.S. effort; enforcement officials in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. conducted a total of 16,725 inspections. These inspections are part of a larger initiative aimed at ensuring the safety of commercial motor vehicles on North American roads. Impressively, around 87% of the vehicles, which means they were deemed roadworthy and safe to continue their operations.

Details of U.S. Violations

Out of the 16,725 inspections carried out across North America, 2,149 vehicles were found to have brake-related issues significant enough to be classified as out-of-service violations. This represents 12.8% of the total vehicles inspected, which is a concerning figure in terms of brake safety.

Focusing on the U.S., 1,355 vehicles —around 63.1%—had what are known as stand-alone brake-related violations. Additionally, 217 vehicles, or 10.1%, were found to have steering axle brake issues . This demonstrates that brake problems remain a serious issue in commercial motor vehicles and a key focus for safety enforcement agencies.

Brake Safety Standards: The 20% Rule

One significant benchmark used during these inspections is the 20% defective brake rule. Essentially, if 20% or more of a vehicle’s brakes are defective, it’s automatically considered out of service. During this year’s inspection week, 1,216 vehicles (56.6%) failed to meet this standard, meaning these vehicles had brake issues severe enough to warrant immediate removal from service.

Focus on Brake Lining and Pad Violations

This year's Brake Safety Week had a particular focus on inspecting brake linings and pads. CVSA officials were especially vigilant about looking for loose, missing, worn, or contaminated brake components. Across the U.S., they found 654 violations related to brake lining or pads , with 382 of those violations found on tractor units (the power units) and 272 on trailer units (towed units). These results show that brake lining and pad wear is still a major area of concern.

Canada and Mexico Brake Inspections

The inspection results were not limited to the U.S. In Canada, officials conducted 1,926 inspections, which led to 243 vehicles being taken off the road due to brake-related issues. This amounts to a 12.6% out-of-service rate. Brake lining and pad violations were found in both tractor and trailer units in Canada as well.

Meanwhile, Mexico conducted fewer inspections, with only 107 vehicles being checked. Out of those, six vehicles were found to have brake-related violations, resulting in a 5.6% out-of-service rate.

Performance-Based Brake Testing (PBBT)

Eighteen U.S. states employed Performance-Based Brake Testers ( PBBTs ) during Brake Safety Week, using advanced technology to gauge brake performance. These devices offer a scientific measurement of braking efficiency. During the 452 inspections where PBBTs were used, 26 vehicles failed to meet the required standards, which equals a 5.75% failure rate.

Ensuring Brake Safety: A Vital Responsibility

In conclusion, Brake Safety Week serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of vehicle maintenance, especially when it comes to brake systems. Regular inspections, adherence to safety regulations, and the early detection of issues can prevent vehicles from being taken out of service, ensuring both the safety of the driver and the public.