CVSA’s Brake Safety Week is August 21-27, and last year alone, 12% of unannounced inspections resulted in vehicles being placed out of service. To help keep you on the road, TravelCenters of America is offering FREE mid-trip inspections until August 20. Come get your free inspection at participating TA Truck Service locations and enjoy peace of mind during this year’s safety enforcement campaign. We look forward to seeing you at TA®, Petro Stopping Centers®, and TA Express® travel centers.
Truck Inspections for Brake Safety Week 2022
Roadside truck inspections are an essential part of improving the safety of our roadways, and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is continuing its efforts to do just that with their annual Brake Safety Week inspection event. Brake Safety Week is a high-visibility, week-long enforcement initiative that calls attention to the importance of commercial motor vehicle safety through roadside inspections.
CVSA launched an unannounced Brake Safety Day back in April, and in just the one day, more than 9,000 vehicles were inspected. Fourteen percent of the inspections (roughly 1,300) uncovered critical brake violations that took vehicles out of service. Get ready for a full week of inspections by making sure your truck is well maintained and that you have the proper documents ready to hand over to inspectors.
What is CVSA Looking for During Brake Safety Week 2022?
During brake safety week, CVSA inspectors will focus on:
- Broken, loose, or missing brake system parts
- Non-manufactured holes caused from friction or rust
- Brake housing springs that need to be replaced
- Air leaks, system pressure, and S-cam flip-over
- Slack adjuster length and air chamber size
- Brake system warning devices
Make sure your truck is well maintained
It’s always best to conduct a thorough inspection prior to hitting the road. Not only will this help you identify any mechanical issues and avoid being placed out of service, but it also ensures your safety and the safety of others on the road.
Every year, the majority of mechanical violations are related to brake adjustment. In fact, during last year’s three-day International Roadcheck, brake system and brake adjustment violations took nearly 40% of inspected vehicles out of service.
While there is a clear increase in the number of inspections conducted during Brake Safety Week, commercial motor vehicle inspections take place throughout the rest of the year as well. Inspections are just as important before and after the week-long enforcement event. Find a TA Truck Service near you to get a free mid-trip inspection through August 20 and hit the road ready.
Have the necessary paperwork on hand
Having the right paperwork and documents on hand is just as important as making sure your truck and trailer are in good operating condition. Take the time now to get your paperwork in order and make sure the condition of your vehicle complies with FMCSA regulations, so you can avoid being placed out of service and keep on rolling.
Not only should your vehicle’s mechanical fitness be up to par, but you should also be prepared to hand over the appropriate paperwork when it’s time to start the inspection process. Here’s what you should have ready to present to an inspector during Brake Safety Week:
- Driver’s license/commercial driver’s license (CDL)
- Insurance, DOT number, and operating license if needed
- Record of duty status and any supporting documents
- Shipping papers or applicable manifest
- Vehicle registration, inspection certificate(s), and any trip inspection reports
- All necessary documentation for any hazardous materials or dangerous goods
- All relevant permits and paperwork, where needed
“Having your driver documents and vehicle maintenance all in order helps a lot,” said Will Schaefer, director of safety programs for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. “Inspectors and drivers are all trying to maintain safe operations and a safe roadway environment. We are all trying to do our part. A shared respect among inspectors and drivers goes a long way toward a positive, efficient inspection experience.”
Good luck out there to all professional drivers, and we look forward to helping you prepare for anything, no matter what make or model you drive.
Ready for your free inspection?
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