Brake Safety Week 2025: Protecting Roads Through Awareness and Maintenance

August 24–30, 2025
Organized by: Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)
Focus: Brake Drums and Rotors

Each year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) leads a vital initiative to improve road safety across North America. Brake Safety Week, taking place this year from August 24 to 30, is a coordinated effort involving law enforcement agencies in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The goal? To reduce brake-related crashes by inspecting commercial motor vehicles and educating the industry on the importance of brake system maintenance.

Why Brake Safety Matters

Brake systems are among the most critical safety components in any vehicle—especially in large commercial trucks and buses. Faulty brakes can lead to longer stopping distances, loss of control, and catastrophic accidents. In fact, brake-related violations are consistently one of the top reasons vehicles are placed out of service during inspections.

What to Expect During Brake Safety Week

Throughout the week, CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct roadside inspections with a special focus on brake drums and rotors—components that, if damaged or worn, can significantly reduce braking efficiency or even break apart while driving.

Inspectors will:

• Check for cracks, wear, and missing components
• Use Performance-Based Brake Testers (PBBTs) in some jurisdictions
• Remove vehicles from service if critical violations are found

All inspection data will be collected and analyzed by CVSA, with results published later this year.

Best Practices for Brake Maintenance

Whether you’re a fleet manager, owner-operator, or mechanic, here are some essential brake maintenance tips to keep your vehicles safe and compliant:

1. Conduct Daily Pre-Trip Inspections

• Check for air leaks, low air pressure, or warning lights
• Listen for unusual noises during braking
• Ensure brake lights are functioning

2. Inspect Brake Drums and Rotors Regularly

• Look for cracks, scoring, or discoloration
• Measure thickness and replace if below minimum specs
• Ensure no oil or grease contamination

3. Monitor Brake Pad and Shoe Wear

• Replace pads or shoes before they reach the wear limit
• Uneven wear may indicate alignment or hardware issues

4. Check Air Brake System Components

• Drain air tanks daily to remove moisture
• Inspect air lines for chafing or leaks
• Test the air compressor and governor function

5. Use Proper Torque and Installation Techniques

• Over- or under-tightening brake components can lead to failure
• Always follow manufacturer torque specs

Supporting Safety and Compliance with Craig Safety Technologies

At Craig Safety Technologies, Inc., we are proud to support initiatives like Brake Safety Week because we share the same mission: keeping roads safe and helping companies stay compliant.

Through our powerful compliance management platform, ComplianceSafetyManager.com, we help motor carriers, fleet operators, and safety managers:

• Stay on top of FMCSA regulations
• Track and manage vehicle inspections and maintenance
• Monitor driver qualification files
• Automate compliance tasks so you can focus on running your business

We believe that safety and compliance should be proactive, not reactive. That’s why we provide the tools and expertise to help you build a culture of safety—one inspection, one vehicle, and one driver at a time.

Let’s make Brake Safety Week 2025 a success—together.

If you’re ready to simplify your compliance process and strengthen your safety program, contact us to learn more.