Inspectors in nearly 50 jurisdictions throughout Canada, Mexico and the U.S. recently conducted 4,898 commercial motor vehicle inspections in one day as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) brake-safety inspection and enforcement event.
This year’s CVSA reports Brake Safety Day data found that of the 4,898 inspections conducted, 4,328 commercial motor vehicles did not have any brake-related out-of-service violations – 88.4% of the total number of vehicles inspected. However, inspectors identified 570 (11.6%) commercial motor vehicles that were traveling on roadways with brake-related critical inspection item vehicle violations. Those vehicles were immediately restricted from further travel until the critical violations could be properly addressed, CVSA says.
Inspectors identified 330 commercial motor vehicles with 20% brake violations; meaning 20% or more of the vehicle’s (or combination of vehicles) service brakes had an out-of-service condition resulting in a defective brake. That was the top Brake Safety Day violation, accounting for 57.9% of all brake-related out-of-service violations, CVSA says.
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Inspectors found other brake violations on 256 (44.9%) of the commercial motor vehicles inspected. CVSA says examples of other brake violations include worn brake lines/hoses, broken brake drums, inoperative tractor protection system, inoperative low-air warning device, air leaks, hydraulic fluid leaks, etc.
Seventy-three commercial motor vehicles had steering-related brake violations – 12.8% of all brake-related out-of-service violations, CVSA adds.
The alliance also notes this year emphasis was placed 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. Additionally, 71 brake lining/pad violations were identified on towed units. Twenty-three of the violations were for cracks/voids in the linings/pads – the top brake lining/pad violation on towed units.
