A record number of 20,810 inspections were conducted last month during the Operation Air Brake Campaign, according to information from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).
The roadside inspections resulted in 2,339 vehicles (11.2 percent) being placed out-of-service for brake adjustment defects; 1,873 vehicles placed out-of-service (9.0 percent) for brake component defects; and a total of 3,835 vehicles placed out-of-service (18.4 percent) for brake defects. The numbers represent an increase over most of last year’s out-of-service rates during Brake Safety Week, which were 11.4 percent, 8.6 percent, and 17.8 percent respectively.
Thirty-six states and provinces across the United States and Canada, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and industry partners participated in the program during the week of September 21. Brake Safety Week was launched as a pilot program in 2005 as a part of the Operation Air Brake Campaign sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).
This year’s activities also included 697 vehicle inspections and 6,154 brakes assessed using performance-based brake testers (PBBTs) by five states in six locations across the United States.
The event included commercial vehicle roadside inspections completed by CVSA-certified inspectors. A number of educational outreach activities also were conducted across North America including: free brake inspections at several truck stops in Saskatchewan, Canada; Safety presentations in Missouri; and, classroom learning and other educational activities conducted at inspection shops nationwide by Landstar Carrier Services in Florida. In addition, more than 40,000 pieces of educational literature on brake adjustment were distributed to drivers, technicians and motor carrier safety personnel.