CVSA's Brake Safety Week Is Underway
Washington D.C. (Aug. 23, 2026) – Today is the first day of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) Brake Safety Week, a weeklong commercial motor vehicle brake-safety inspection and enforcement initiative taking place across Canada, Mexico and the U.S.
Throughout the week, certified commercial motor vehicle inspectors will conduct inspections of commercial motor vehicles, with an emphasis on brake systems and components.
Brake-related violations continue to be one of the leading reasons vehicles are placed out of service during roadside inspections. Brake Safety Week helps identify and remove vehicles with critical brake issues from North America's roadways while raising awareness about the importance of proper and proactive brake maintenance and repair.
From Aug. 23-29, inspectors will perform comprehensive brake-system inspections, checking for:
- Missing, non-functioning, loose, contaminated and/or cracked parts
- Non-manufactured holes (e.g., rust holes, holes created by rubbing or friction) and/or broken springs in the spring brake housing
- Audible air leaks around brake components and/or lines
- Over-stroking service brakes
- Worn brake linings and/or pads
- Broken or cracked drums or rotors
- Inoperative tractor protection systems
- Other brake-related defects that could impact a vehicle's safe operation
Commercial motor vehicles found with brake-related out-of-service violations, as defined by the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, will be restricted from operating until the identified violations have been corrected.
Inspectors will focus on drums and rotors, the emphasis for this year's brake safety initiative. Brake drums and rotors are important components of a vehicle's brake system. Issues with drums and/or rotors may affect a vehicle’s brake efficiency. Broken pieces from drums and/or rotors may dislodge during travel and damage other vehicles or result in injuries or fatalities.
Brake Safety Week also serves as an opportunity to educate motor carriers, drivers, mechanics and others responsible for commercial motor vehicle maintenance about the importance of routine brake inspections and preventive maintenance. Properly functioning brakes help drivers maintain control of their vehicles, reduce stopping distances and minimize the risk of crashes.
Brake Safety Week is part of CVSA's Operation Airbrake Program. The goal of Brake Safety Week is to eliminate roadway crashes by conducting roadside inspections and educating drivers, mechanics, motor carriers, owner-operators and others on the importance of proper brake inspection, maintenance and operation.
The results from this year's Brake Safety Week will be compiled and released later this year.
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