Every year, thousands of large commercial trucks travel America’s highways carrying heavy loads through busy cities and rural communities. Because these vehicles require far greater stopping distances than passenger cars, properly functioning truck brakes are necessary for the safety of everyone on the road. Brake Safety Week serves as an important reminder that brake maintenance is not merely a regulatory requirement—it is a critical public safety issue.
From August 23 through August 29, commercial vehicle inspectors throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico will conduct intensive brake inspections as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Brake Safety Week. Some inspections will take place at fixed locations, while others may occur without advance notice. This year’s enforcement campaign places particular attention on brake drums and rotors, two components that play a vital role in a truck’s ability to stop safely.
Faulty brakes cannot safely be ignored
When brake drums or rotors become worn, cracked or otherwise defective, braking performance may be compromised. In addition to reducing stopping effectiveness, damaged components can break apart while a truck is traveling, sending debris into nearby traffic. Those fragments may strike other vehicles, cause drivers to lose control or result in devastating injuries or fatalities.
The importance of these inspections is reflected in last year’s results. Inspectors conducted more than 15,000 commercial vehicle inspections during Brake Safety Week and identified nearly 2,300 vehicles with brake-related defects serious enough to place them out of service until repairs were made. Those findings demonstrate that unsafe braking systems remain a significant concern despite existing maintenance requirements.
Unfortunately, some trucking companies and drivers fail to properly inspect or maintain their equipment. When brake failures contribute to the causes of serious collisions, victims may be entitled to compensation. When the trucking industry doesn’t take brake safety seriously, those impacted by this negligence may be able to successfully hold responsible actors accountable accordingly.