The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Brake Safety Week 2022 is scheduled for Sunday, August 21 to Saturday, August 27, 2022. CVSA Brake Safety Week is an annual campaign held by CVSA’s Operation Airbrake Program, in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Each year, CVSA holds two brake safety campaigns: the announced Brake Safety Week and an unannounced, one-day brake safety enforcement initiative. This year, the surprise brake safety day was held on April 27, 2022.
During both brake safety events, officials conduct commercial vehicle brake system inspections across the country. These inspections are primarily Level IV Inspections, and any critical violations found during inspection will place a vehicle out of service.
Why CMV brake safety matters
Properly-functioning brake systems are critical for safe vehicle operation. Unfortunately, brake-related violations are responsible for the largest number of out-of-service orders in commercial motor vehicle (CMV) roadside inspections.
CMV brake systems are designed to be durable, but they must be maintained and inspected regularly to ensure they are in good working order. Poorly maintained or improperly adjusted brake systems can reduce braking capacity of a vehicle, creating dangerous situations and increasing crashes.
The goal of Operation Airbrake and Brake Safety Week is to raise awareness about the importance of brake safety, reduce the number of poorly functioning brake systems in operation, and improve the safety of our roadways.
How to prepare for Brake Safety Week 2022
Improperly functioning brakes pose a serious safety risk, and out-of-service violations pose hefty fines and lost time on the road. To avoid these issues, our consultants at NTCI recommend taking action before Brake Safety Week. Start by:
- Establishing vehicle maintenance and record-keeping protocols
- Training your drivers on pre- and post-trip brake inspection
- Proactively scheduling and performing vehicle maintenance ahead of Brake Safety Week
- Educating your team about the importance of brake safety
The CVSA Roadside Inspection Cheat Sheet gives a good overview of what inspectors look for during brake inspections. For more detailed information, refer to the CVSA Brake Inspection Checklist.
Although brake systems are the focus of Brake Safety Week inspections, remember that any type of critical violation can result in out-of-service orders. All our consultants have former motor carrier law enforcement experience, and we can help you ensure safety and compliance.
We specialize in on-site training, including pre-and post-trip inspection training, as well as training on roadside inspections and vehicle maintenance files. Our fleet safety managed services program can help you with maintenance file reviews and roadside inspection reviews.
Schedule time to talk with our experts about how to prepare your fleet for Brake Safety Week 2022.
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