When it comes to keeping a fleet safe, few things matter more than brake health. That’s why the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) dedicates an entire week each year to Brake Safety Week. This year, it’s happening August 24–30.
During this initiative, law enforcement across North America will conduct thousands of roadside inspections focused on brake systems and components. For trucking companies and owner-operators, it’s not just about avoiding citations, but also about ensuring your equipment is safe and your business is compliant.
Why Brake Safety Week matters
Brake-related violations are among the most common reasons for placing trucks out of service. In fact, during last year’s Brake Safety Week, 12.8% of inspected vehicles were taken off the road due to brake system violations. For any carrier, that means lost time, lost revenue, and potentially serious safety risks.
The stakes are even higher when you consider how critical brakes are in emergency situations. Poorly maintained brake systems can lengthen stopping distances, reduce control on downgrades, and even lead to catastrophic collisions. Regular maintenance and inspections are the only way to prevent these issues.
What inspectors look for
During Brake Safety Week, inspectors will be performing the North American Standard Level I and Level V Inspections. The focus of this year’s inspections will be on drums and rotors, but the inspectors will also check:
- Brake hoses and tubing for leaks, damage, and improper routing
- Brake pads and linings for wear or contamination
- Slack adjusters for proper adjustment
- Air pressure build-up time and warning systems
- Overall braking system operation
Any failure to meet the required standards can result in violations, fines, and vehicle out-of-service orders.
Catch issues early to prevent violations
Many fleets wait until something breaks to take action. But when it comes to brakes, reactive maintenance just doesn’t cut it. Inspections like those during Brake Safety Week highlight the importance of catching issues early, because by the time a component fails, it’s already a risk to safety and compliance.
The most reliable way to stay ahead is by making preventative maintenance part of your daily operations, not just a seasonal routine. That means keeping a close eye on brake wear, scheduling service before it’s overdue, and documenting every step to stay audit-ready.
That level of consistency can be hard to manage with spreadsheets or paper logs. That’s why many fleets are turning to FleetMate, RouteMate’s new maintenance platform, to help them prepare for Brake Safety Week and stay compliant all year long. It brings every inspection, work order, service plan, and repair record into one clear view, helping fleets reduce downtime and avoid violations before they happen.
Make fleet maintenance easy with FleetMate
Staying compliant and keeping your fleet safe tends to get more difficult as your fleet grows. That’s where FleetMate makes a real difference.
FleetMate gives you one central hub to:
- Track every inspection, repair, and service in real time
- Schedule preventative maintenance based on mileage or time
- Set automatic reminders for services and warranty renewals
- Prioritize, assign, and monitor work orders — from issue to resolution
- Minimize costs by speeding up repairs and analyzing data
With FleetMate, it’s easier to prepare for Brake Safety Week, and more importantly, to prevent costly breakdowns and stay safe all year round.
Get ready before the road check starts
Brake Safety Week is more than a month away, but smart fleets know that compliance starts long before August 24. If you’re looking for a better way to manage inspections, reduce downtime, and protect your drivers, FleetMate is ready to help.
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