National Brake Safety Week 2019

This week, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) observed their annual ‘Brake Safety Week’; placing particular focus on brake hoses and tubing. During this week, inspectors conduct roadside inspections nationwide focusing on brake violations.

According to CVSA, brake hoses and tubing are crucial for proper brake system operation in all vehicles. Inspectors check trucks to observe that tubing and hoses are properly attached, appear without damage or leaks and are suitably flexible.

CVSA President Chief Jay Thompson with the Arkansas Highway Police says “We all know how important a properly functioning brake system is to vehicle operation. All components of the brake system must always be in proper operating condition. Brake systems and their parts and components must be routinely checked and carefully and consistently maintained to ensure the health and safety of the overall vehicle.”

The Commercial Carrier Journal released their 10^th edition of the Air Brake Book for fleets to consider pros and cons of newer brake technology. This 9 chapter book includes an outline of the new 2019 CVSA out-of-service standards surrounding brakes and brake systems. The book also includes guidelines for the CVSA’s Air Brake Pushrod Stroke.

During Brake Safety Week in 2018, law enforcement conducted more than 35,000 inspections and placed nearly 5,000 of those out-of-service. Of the 5,000 vehicles taken out-of-service, 45% represented out-of-adjustment brakes and other brake system abuses.

Ultimately, the goal of the CVSA inspections nationwide is to remove unsafe trucks from our roads and prevent injuries and deaths due to tractor-trailer accidents. In 2018, with 45% of the vehicles inspected during Brake Safety Week removed from the road with brake or brake system abuses, it seems logical that 18 wheelers and commercial vehicles should prioritize consistent brake inspections.

If you’ve been involved in an 18 wheeler accident, call us – (479) 202-5200 or click CHAT NOW .  BOliver Law Firm is located at 3606 W. Southern Hills Blvd., Ste. 200, Rogers, AR, 72758.  Exit 81 off Pleasant Grove Road, just west of I-49.

Oliver Law Firm is dedicated to ensuring that big trucks are inspected for proper operation.  

Sources:

• https://www.ccjdigital.com/nationwide-brake-inspection-spree-set-for-september/#
• https://register.ccjdigital.com/air-brake-book/?utm_source=Email%20Newsletter&utm_medium=CCJ%20Daily&utm_campaign=2019%20Air%20Brake%20Book%20Promo
• https://www.ccjdigital.com/what-inspectors-will-be-looking-for-during-cvsas-brake-safety-week/

Additional Blogs:

18 Wheeler Braking Systems, Dec. 11, 2012

The Brake-down: Tractor-Trailer Brake Safety, July 18, 2016

Photo: Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) website.