The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance will be holding brake safety week, Aug. 23-29, 2020. The Maine State Police, Troop K will be participating as will other commercial safety enforcement agencies in North America.
Each year there is also an unannounced one-day brake safety enforcement initiative conducted by CVSA affiliated agencies.
During both the announced and unannounced brake safety enforcement campaigns, CMV inspectors will conduct brake system inspections (primarily Level IV Inspections) on large trucks and buses throughout North America to identify out-of-adjustment brakes and brake-system violations. The week is an annual outreach and enforcement campaign designed to improve commercial vehicle brake safety throughout North America.
Properly functioning brake systems are crucial to safe commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operation. CMV brakes are designed to hold up under tough conditions, but they must be inspected and maintained carefully and consistently so they operate and perform properly throughout the vehicle’s life.
Brake-related violations comprise the largest percentage of all out-of-service violations cited during roadside inspections. Improperly installed or poorly maintained brake systems can reduce the braking capacity and stopping distance of trucks and buses, which poses a serious risk to driver and public safety.
Outreach and educational efforts by CMV inspectors, participating motor carriers and others in the industry also take place during this brake safety campaign and are integral to the success of the campaign.
Operation Airbrake is a CVSA program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
More than 3.4 million brakes have been inspected since the program’s inception in 1998.