This week truck inspectors are ramping up enforcement, specifically on brakes, as part of the CVSA Brake Safety Week. This year is a return to normal for the CVSA after limiting last year’s inspection to a single day.
The CVSA has stated that the majority of inspections will be full Level I inspection. However, CVSA inspectors will have a particular interest on your brake components, including loose or missing parts, defective rotor conditions, air or hydraulic fluid leaks, pushrod travel, required brake-system warning devices, and other braking system components. All vehicles with defective or out-of-adjustment brakes will be removed from service until the issue is resolved.
The CVSA has stated that 14% of trucks inspected during the one-day inspection were placed out of service for brake-related violations.
The CVSA Level 1 Inspection
The CVSA (or Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance as many of you already know) uphold the commercial vehicle safety inspections in North America. They monitor the contravention, inspection, and accident information on your carrier profile. There are many inspection types but the level 1 is the most thorough and common. Click here to review the level 1 inspection list from the CVSA website. https://cvsa.org/inspections/inspections/inspection-procedures/
Performance-Based Brake Testing (PBBT)
In addition to the North American Standard Level I Inspection,12 jurisdictions will be using performance-based brake testing (PBBT) equipment to measure your vehicle’s braking efficiency. This will measure the total brake force for your entire vehicle and then divide it by the total vehicle weight to determine the overall vehicles braking efficiency.
“The minimum braking efficiency for trucks is 43.5 percent, required by 393.52 of the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and the CVSA North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria.”
Again, keep in mind that vehicles with out-of-adjustment or defective brakes will be placed out of service. So that’s a headache you can easily avoid by taking the time to work on your brakes. Also, you should continue performing your pre- and post-trip inspections.
Be Prepared For CVSA’s Brake Safety Day
If you need to perform a little maintenance on your truck now is the time, because if you don’t pass the inspection, you will get parked! Also, please do what you can to spread awareness about brake safety to your fellow drivers to reduce the number of crashes out there.
Please share your thoughts about the CVSA’s Brake Safety Week in the comment section below and be sure to follow us on social media!