The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has two brake inspection campaigns planned for this year, and they are aimed exclusively at the drivers of commercial motor vehicles. CMV drivers across California and the rest of the U.S. could benefit from knowing the details, and they will want to make sure their brakes are properly installed and maintained. Functioning brakes will help trucks and buses maintain a reasonable stopping distance and keep other drivers safe.
The two campaigns are part of Operation Airbrake, a program started by the CVSA together with the U.S. DoT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The first campaign is a one-day brake inspection spree that has been set for an unannounced date, which means truck and bus drivers may be inspected when they least expect it.
The second event is called Brake Safety Week and will take place from September 16 to 22. Inspectors will be stopping trucks, buses and other CMVs at random across the nation and will conduct mostly Level IV inspections. Inspections could cover everything from defects to the rotors to missing parts to worn-out linings and pads. Truckers will also be inspected to determine if they have the right brake-system warning device. Vehicles will be removed from service for out-of-adjustment brakes and for brake-system violations. Such violations account for the highest percentage of out-of-service orders.
When victims incur a truck accident injury because the trucker failed to maintain the brakes, they may be able to file a successful claim against the trucking company. A victim’s lawyer might bring in third-party professionals to gather evidence of the trucker’s negligence. The lawyer may also be able to estimate a fair amount for the settlement after determining the extent of the victim’s injuries, negotiating for that amount afterwards.
