Brake blitz nabs more OOS truck than last year
WASHINGTON — A slightly higher rate of out-of-service brake problems on North American highways was reported by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and its on-road enforcement partners in the U.S. and Canada.
The up-tick in OOS rates coincides with the record increase of total inspections 20,810 — during Operation Air Brake in September. Thirty-six states and provinces across the U.S. and Canada participated in the brake safety blitz.
Nearly 700 vehicle inspections were conducted and 6,154 brakes assessed using performance-based brake testers, which resulted in 2,339 vehicles (11.2 percent) being placed out of service for brake adjustment defects, 1,873 vehicles placed OOS (9 percent) for brake component defects, and a total of 3,835 vehicles placed out of service (18.4 percent) for brake defects.
That’s a minor 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.
"We continue to put a heavy emphasis on brakes because they are one of the most critical components in the safe operation of a commercial motor vehicle," said CVSA Executive Director Stephen F. Campbell.
OOS rates in the US and Canada
"Having defective brakes increases the risk to all travelers on the roads – a problem CVSA is working actively with partners in industry and government to eliminate."
A number of educational outreach activities were also conducted across North America, including: free brake inspections at several truckstops in Saskatchewan; 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.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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