This year's special emphasis is on the condition of brake drums and rotors. Brake drum and rotor issues can reduce braking performance, and in severe cases, broken pieces can become dislodged from a moving vehicle, creating a serious hazard for other motorists. 

To help fleets prepare, CVSA's Operation Airbrake program recommends drivers and technicians pay particular attention to the following during routine inspections:

• Inspect the visible portions of brake drums and rotors during every pre-trip and post-trip inspection.
• Look for cracked or broken areas in rotor friction surfaces and for cracks or missing pieces in brake drums.
• On disc brake systems, watch for heavily rusted rotors across the entire friction surface, which may indicate an inoperative brake.
• Check for grooved rotors caused by metal-to-metal contact, a sign that brake pads are worn.
• Ensure rotors are not worn to the point that the center vents are exposed.
• Perform all brake repairs according to the brake manufacturer's specifications.
• Record brake defects on driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) and report them promptly to the motor carrier for repair. 

In addition to conducting inspections, Brake Safety Week also emphasizes education and outreach. Inspectors will engage with drivers, motor carriers, and mechanics to reinforce the importance of proactive brake inspection, maintenance, and repair in preventing crashes and saving lives. During the week, inspection and violation data will also be submitted to CVSA for analysis, with results to be released later this year to help identify industry trends and improve future safety efforts.

Brake Safety Week serves as an important reminder that safety is a shared responsibility. By identifying and repairing brake issues before they become violations, carriers can reduce costly roadside delays, improve compliance, and, most importantly, help keep Pennsylvania's highways safer for everyone.

Additional information and inspection resources are available through Operation Airbrake.