The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will lead its annual Brake Safety Week from August 24–30, 2025, across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. With a specific focus this year on drums and rotors, enforcement efforts will include inspections, education, and immediate out-of-service orders for violations.

Why Brake Safety Still Matters - Brake systems are among the most critical safety components of any commercial motor vehicle. While tire wear affects handling, the ability to stop an 80,000-pound truck safely is what protects lives and prevents collisions. According to CVSA, brake-related issues remain the top reason for CMV out-of-service orders year after year.

Also, according to the latest TRUST (Truck Reliability Usage Safety Tracker) index, when reviewing the CSA scores of the 20 private fleets in the country, brakes account for 33% of total vehicle maintenance violations.  The new TRUST Safety Index provides comparative BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories) scores, enabling organizations to measure their safety performance against both industry averages and across various peer groups. The data set includes detailed scoring based on inspections, violations, and peer group analysis, offering a holistic view of fleet safety and compliance.

What to Expect During Brake Safety Week - To support this year’s effort, CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct standard roadside inspections with a specific emphasis on brake drums and rotors. These components are essential to overall brake system integrity and performance. Cracked, rusted, or worn drums and rotors can reduce stopping power and create hazardous debris that endangers other motorists.

Key highlights of the initiative include:

• Comprehensive CMV inspections with a targeted focus on drums and rotors
• Immediate out-of-service orders for any brake-related violations
• Performance-based brake testing (PBBT) in selected jurisdictions
• Data collection and public reporting of brake-related violation trends
• Brake safety education efforts aimed at drivers, technicians, and fleet operators
  

Inspection Tips for Drivers and Maintenance Teams

Drivers – Pre-Trip & Post-Trip Reminders:

• Check all visible portions of brake pads, drums, and rotors
• Look for oil, grease, or other contamination—if found, remove from service
• Perform a brake hold test: Try moving the vehicle with brakes applied. Any movement means failure

Maintenance Personnel – PM Service Focus:

• Check for missing lining material, exposed rivets, or scoring
• Ensure pad/shoe clearance meets OEM standards
• Inspect for cracks, voids, or signs of rust jacking
• Heavily rusted rotors or metal-to-metal wear must be addressed immediately
  

   

Brake Drums and Rotors: 8 Critical Inspection Tips - This year’s focus on drum and rotor condition means teams must take extra care. Here are eight essential tips for catching issues before they become violations:

1. Inspect visible portions of drums and rotors during every pre- and post-trip inspection
2. Look for cracks or broken pieces in the friction surface of rotors, as these can compromise performance
3. Check for structural cracks in drums that extend to the outer edge or missing pieces
4. Watch for disc brakes with heavy rust across the entire friction surface, this is often an indicator of inoperative brakes and must be addressed immediately
5. Grooved rotors mean metal-to-metal contact, your brake pads are worn and need replacement
6. Measure rotor thickness, and if the center vents are exposed, the rotor is dangerously worn and in need of replacement
7. Ensure all repairs follow brake manufacturer's specs and procedures to ensure compliance and safety
8. Document all findings in the Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) and promptly notify the carrier of any issues found

Why This Matters - Brake-related violations consistently rank as the top reason for CMV out-of-service orders. These are not just regulatory concerns, they are serious safety risks. Ensuring proper brake system inspection, maintenance, and/or repair can:

• Prevent accidents
• Avoid downtime and citations
• Improve fleet performance and safety records
• Save lives

Learn More & Prepare - Brake Safety Week is not just about enforcement; it is about awareness and education. Use this opportunity to:

• Train your teams
• Refresh your inspection routines
• Update your maintenance documentation
• Reinforce safety culture across your operation

For official resources, inspection guides, and reporting tools, visit the CVSA Brake Safety Week page: https://www.cvsa.org/programs/operation-airbrake/brake-safety-week/