Is Your Truck Ready? Brake Safety Week 2025 Is Coming
This year, Brake Safety Week is scheduled for August 24 - 30, and it is the perfect time to make sure your commercial vehicle is road-ready.
Law enforcement agencies across the United States, Canada, and Mexico will conduct inspections to identify brake problems, educate drivers, and prevent accidents. Staying prepared now can help you avoid costly out-of-service violations and keep your truck safely on the road.
So, let’s review why Brake Safety Week matters, what inspectors will be looking for this year, and how you can make sure your brakes are in top condition before hitting the road.
Why Brake Safety Week Is Important
Brake Safety Week is organized by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) as part of its Operation Airbrake program. This initiative is designed to improve commercial vehicle brake safety across North America.
In 2024, inspectors conducted 16,725 commercial vehicle inspections. About 87 percent of vehicles passed with no out-of-service violations. However, 2,149 vehicles, or 12.8 percent, were taken off the road due to brake-related issues. More than 1,300 of these vehicles had standalone brake violations, and over 1,200 failed the 20 percent defective brakes rule. These numbers highlight the ongoing importance of careful brake inspections and maintenance.
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Focus for 2025: Brake Drums and Rotors
This year, the main focus is on brake drums and rotors. These components are critical for braking efficiency, and damaged or worn drums and rotors can create serious safety hazards. Broken pieces can dislodge while driving, potentially damaging other vehicles or causing injuries.
Inspectors will look for visible cracks, missing pieces, heavily rusted rotors, grooves indicating metal-to-metal contact, and exposed center vents. Being aware of these inspection points can help truckers avoid violations and maintain safe vehicles.
How Truckers and Fleets Can Prepare
Truckers can take simple steps to stay safe and avoid brake-related violations during Brake Safety Week. Here are the most important ones:
1. Inspect all visible portions of the brake drum or rotor as part of pre-trip and post-trip inspections.
2. Look for signs of cracked or broken pieces in the friction surface of the rotor.
3. Check for cracks that run through to the outer portion of the drum or for any missing pieces that are visible.
4. On vehicles with disc brakes, examine the rotor carefully. Heavily rusted rotors across the entire friction surface indicate an inoperative brake.
5. Watch for grooved rotors, which indicate metal-to-metal contact, meaning the brake pads are worn and the brake shoe is contacting the rotor directly.
6. Ensure the rotor is not worn to the extent that the center vents are exposed.
7. Make sure all repairs follow the brake manufacturer’s requirements and guidelines.
8. Document any issues in driver vehicle inspection reports and report them to the motor carrier.
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Benefits of Proactive Brake Safety
Brake Safety Week is not only about inspections. It is a chance to reinforce safe practices, prevent accidents, and protect both your truck and the public. Regular inspections and maintenance improve brake performance, extend the life of your equipment, and reduce the risk of costly downtime. Staying proactive with brake safety helps avoid violations, saves money, and keeps highways safe for everyone.
Every inspection and maintenance check is an opportunity to protect your truck, your fleet, and everyone on the road.
Good luck!
