Once a year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance conducts a week-long brake inspection spree for commercial trucks. Brake Safety Week will take place this year from September 16 to 22, so truckers in West Virginia and across the rest of the U.S. will want to take note.
The CVSA stresses the importance of routinely inspecting brakes and maintaining them according to manufacturers’ specifications. Inspectors will be randomly stopping trucks to ensure compliance with safety guidelines, and they will be putting out of service all trucks with defective or out-of-adjustment brakes. The inspections will mostly be Level I inspections, which are the most thorough.
During last year’s brake inspection spree, 14 percent of all truckers who were stopped were cited for brake-related violations. This should give an idea of how common brake issues are. In addition, the CVSA holds a three-day International Roadcheck; year after year, brake violations make up the majority of out-of-service violations.
Inspectors will first of all be checking for any missing or loose parts, including brake-system warning devices. They will note any air or hydraulic fluid leaks as well as excessive wear on linings, pads, drums and rotors. The size of the air chambers and the integrity of the air reservoirs will also be inspected.
Bad brakes mean inefficient braking, which could lead to serious rear-end collisions. Truck accident victims who believe they were either not at fault or only partially at fault may be able to file a claim. A lawyer may be able to calculate a fair settlement after determining comparative negligence and consulting medical experts about the extent of the victim’s injuries. The lawyer might hire other experts to find proof of the trucker’s negligence. The victim may have their lawyer represent them at the negotiation table or in the courtroom.
