Safety & Maintenance | Around the Industry
August 5, 2026
CVSA Brake Safety Week 2026: What Fleets Need to Know
By Tosha Missel, Senior Marketing Specialist
Brake systems play a critical role in keeping commercial vehicles operating safely on the road. That’s why the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) continues to focus on brake compliance through its annual Brake Safety Week, taking place August. 23–29, across North America.
During this seven-day initiative, inspectors will conduct brake system inspections on commercial motor vehicles to identify brake-related violations that can contribute to crashes, roadside breakdowns, or unsafe operating conditions. The campaign also serves as an opportunity to educate drivers, technicians, and owner-operators about the importance of proper brake inspections and maintenance.
Why Brake Safety Matters
Because brakes are among a commercial vehicle’s most critical safety components, improperly installed or poorly maintained brake systems can reduce braking performance, increase stopping distances, and compromise vehicle control, increasing the risk of collisions.
This year’s Brake Safety Week also includes a special focus on brake drums and rotors. In addition to documenting brake-related violations, inspectors will collect data on the condition of these components. Cracked, damaged, or excessively worn drums and rotors can significantly affect a vehicle’s braking efficiency and in severe cases, fail while the vehicle is in operation. In some cases, broken pieces of drums or rotors can become dislodged from the vehicle while in transit, potentially striking other vehicles and causing property damage, serious injuries, or fatalities.
Vehicles found with serious brake safety violations may be placed out of service until the necessary repairs are completed, helping to remove unsafe vehicles from operation and improve overall highway safety.
A Longstanding Commitment to Safer Roads
Since Brake Safety Week began in 1998, inspectors have examined more than 3.4 million brakes, helping improve compliance and increase awareness of proper brake maintenance throughout the commercial transportation industry. The program’s success depends not only on inspections but also on the ongoing education and outreach efforts of inspectors, motor carriers, and other industry stakeholders committed to improving brake safety.
A Closer Look at Common Brake Violations
Recent inspection results show that brake-related violations continue to be one of the leading reasons commercial vehicles are placed out of service, with the most common reason being that 20% or more of a vehicle (or combination of vehicles’) service brakes had an out of service condition (a “20% Defective Brakes Violation”). Reviewing common violations can help fleets take a proactive approach to avoid violations and keep drivers safer on the road.
Top Brake-Related Violations in 2025
- 1,199 violations for a 20% Defective Brakes Violation
- 375 other brake-related violations
- 306 brake hoses and tubes violations
- 199 steering axle violations
- 100 air loss rate violations
Top Brake-Related Violations in 2024
- 1,216 violations for the 20% Defective Brakes Violation
- 217 steering axle violations
- 382 brake lining and pad violations on tractors
- 272 brake lining and pad violations on trailers
Brake Drum and Rotor Inspection Tips
With brake drums and rotors being a focus during this year’s Brake Safety Week, CVSA has issued the following checks for drivers and fleets to include as part of their regular inspection routines:
- Inspect visible drum and rotor surfaces during pre-trip and post-trip inspections
- Look for rotor cracks or broken pieces.
- Check for drum cracks or missing pieces.
- Be aware that excessive rust on a rotor may indicate an inoperative brake.
- Deep Grooves in the rotors may indicate worn brake pads and metal-to-metal contact.
- Check that rotor wear has not exposed the center vents.
- Ensure all repairs are performed in accordance with the brake manufacturer's equipment and repair guidelines.
- Document any issues in inspection reports and report them to the carrier.
What Fleets Should Do Now
With Brake Safety Week approaching August 23–29, now is the time for fleets to review brake maintenance programs, conduct thorough pre-trip and preventive maintenance inspections, and ensure technicians are paying close attention to brake drums, rotors, linings, pads, hoses, and other critical components.
Addressing defects before a roadside inspection can help reduce the risk of violations, out-of-service orders, unexpected downtime, and costly repairs. By prioritizing brake safety year-round, carriers can improve compliance, enhance fleet performance, and help create safer roads for everyone.
For details on this year’s CVSA Brake Safety Week:
https://cvsa.org/programs/operation-airbrake/brake-safety-campaigns/
Additional Resources:
https://cvsa.org/programs/operation-airbrake/focus-area/
https://cvsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-BSW-Flyer-English.pdf
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