The CVSA, or the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, puts a lot of emphasis on safety through equipment. They have special days and weeks through the year for a special emphasis on inspections, tire safety, and checking your lights and reflective taping. Be prepared for this year’s Brake Safety Week by checking your truck’s braking system ahead of time.
What will happen during the CVSA’s Brake Safety Week?
Next week will be an “inspection blitz” of full Level I inspections for commercial vehicles. The inspectors will be checking for all general violations, though an emphasis will be placed on your truck’s braking system in particular.
Trucks will be placed out of service for brake violations including:
- hydraulic fluid or air leaks
- worn linings, pads, drums, or rotors
- loose, missing, or broken components
- problems with brake-system warning devices, and
- defective rotors.
Anything that falls under a Level I inspection will be tested, just like in June’s annual Roadcheck inspection. On average, approximately fourteen percent of inspected trucks are pulled out of service for braking-related violations. This trend holds true during both prior Brake Safety Weeks and unannounced inspections throughout the year. Earlier this year, over 11,500 trucks were inspected during a single Brake Safety Day. If you’re going to be on the road, take these preparations:
- Run your company vehicles through a mock Level I inspection. Sometimes routine maintenance slips through the cracks, and now is the best time to catch it. Every potential problem you catch of your own volition is one you can fix without a violation notice. Not only does that save you money, it keeps your company’s driving records clean.
- Catch up on any driver paperwork. While a Level I inspection is separate from a Level II, more inspectors will be on the road. Make sure your drivers have their driving logs and other paperwork done so you don’t have an unexpected out of service notice.
Having safe trucks all year round is an important part of keeping your company safe and your insurance premiums low. Go to J.E.B. Insurance Services, LLC. for more tips to protect your business and to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your trucking insurance. We provide commercial truck insurance in the states of Florida, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska.
