In 2021, Brake Safety Week is scheduled for August 22 through August 28. It’s a time where commercial motor vehicle inspectors put a greater emphasis on brake systems, ensuring that the vehicles that are traveling on the nation’s roadways are safe to operate. 

While many drivers have experienced a Brake Safety Week before, others have not. Plus, even experienced drivers can end up ill-prepared, leading to problems while they are on the road. 

If you want to make sure you’re ready for everything Brake Safety Week involves or are curious about why it’s such an important event, here’s what you need to know. 

What Happens During Brake Safety Week?

While inspectors may examine a vehicle at any time of the year, during Brake Safety Week, they head out onto national roadways with an increased focus on brake systems. They will conduct North American Standard Inspections with a higher degree of emphasis on brake-related components. 

As the inspectors’ complete inspections, they’ll gather data relating to the brake systems of the vehicles. If needed, vehicles that fail to meet the requirements will have violations noted and may be removed from the roadway. 

This year, the inspections are focusing on data relating to hoses and tubing. However, the checks will cover far more ground. 

Once the data is collected, it’s submitted to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). The information will be compiled and processed. After that’s complete, a CVSA report is issued, outlining any findings. 

While much of Brake Safety Week focuses on the inspections, that isn’t all that occurs. This is also a time where transportation companies and other businesses that employ drivers work to educate their teams about brake system safety. Often, this includes materials or classes focused on identifying issues and addressing a problem if one is discovered. 

Why Is Brake Safety Week Important?

Brake violations pose a danger to all motorists. Overall, brake-related violations are by far the most common. In total, in 2020, 38.6 percent of all vehicle out-of-service conditions involve brake system or adjustment violations. 

According to the most recent data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), when it comes to fatal commercial vehicle and passenger vehicle collisions, brake systems were the third-most cited factor. Additionally, out of the top 20 violations in 2020, eight were brake-related, according to FMCSA data. 

While Brake Safety Week is a known event, violations were still identified during the inspections in 2020. Overall, out of the 43,565 vehicles that were placed out-of-service during Brake Safety Week last year, 12 percent were removed due to brake-related violations, specifically. 

What Can Drivers Do to Prepare for Brake Safety Week?

Brake safety should be a priority all year round. However, if you specifically want to prepare for this year’s Brake Safety Week, start by being proactive. Check the condition of your vehicle before and after routes, as well as at every stop. Look for mechanical issues or compliance violations. Be aware of any changes you feel while on the road, stopping to examine the vehicle if something isn’t acting properly. 

By being proactive, you can do your part to keep the nation’s roadways safe. If you’d like to join a safety-minded team, contact our recruiters or browse our online CDL jobs today.