The recent event called Operation Safe Driver Week 2023 organized by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has concluded, but we have another inspection campaign coming up in just a month.

Mark your calendars for CVSA Brake Safety Week, which will occur from August 20 to 26, covering areas in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

During this week, inspectors will be focusing their efforts on identifying and addressing brake lining and pad violations in commercial vehicles.

To help you stay prepared and avoid any violations related to brake lining and pads, here are 10 useful tips provided by CVSA. Take note and make sure your vehicle is in compliance during the upcoming inspection campaign.

  1. Inspect visible portions of the brake lining and pads as part of your pre- and post-trip inspections.
  2. Look for signs of missing lining, such as grooves in the drum from rivet contact.
  3. Look at the shoe-to-drum clearance and ensure there is adequate lining on the shoe.
  4. Look for any signs of leaks from the hub or other components that may be contaminating the lining/pad surface.
  5. Ensure there are no missing lining blocks.
  6. Check for visible cracks or voids in the lining block.
  7. Check for any exposed rivets or lining blocks that look loose on the shoe.
  8. On disc brakes, pay particular attention to the condition of the rotor, such as heavily rusted rotors across the entire friction surface on either side or metal- to-metal contact.
  9. Make sure all repairs are consistent with the brake manufacturer’s requirements and guidelines.
  10. Note any issues in your driver vehicle inspection reports and report them to the motor carrier to have the defective linings/pads repaired.

“The focus of this year’s Brake Safety Week is on the condition of the brake lining and pad,” said CVSA President Maj. Chris Nordloh with the Texas Department of Public Safety. “Brake lining and pad issues may result in vehicle violations and could affect a motor carrier’s safety rating.”

In Brake Safety Week 2022, a total of 38,117 inspections were carried out on Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs) across North America. Among the vehicles that were inspected, approximately 13.3% of them were taken out of service due to critical violations related to brake-related vehicle inspection items.