Importance of brake safety and inspections for truck drivers

Organizations such as the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance do their best to remind truck drivers about the importance of safety. Since long-haul trucks are so large and heavy, a driver must ensure that their breaks are in good shape. This is especially true before they get on the road for another long trip. To spread the word, Brake Safety Week is scheduled for August 23 to 29, 2020.

The goal of several transportation organizations is to prevent the number of truck accidents occurring. Accidents with trucks are a serious matter and saw an uptick in 2018. Since a truck is heavier than a passenger vehicle, the driver requires a longer runway for coming to a complete stop. If their breaks are in questionable condition, the runway needed to come to a complete stop is even longer and more dangerous.

When a truck’s roadside inspection is conducted during Brake Safety Week, the brake hoses and tubing are going to receive extra attention. The brake hoses and tubing must be properly attached and undamaged. There can be no leaks, and they must be appropriately flexible. During the 2019 International Roadcheck inspection blitz, 45.1% of all out-of-service violations were brake system and adjustment violations. The 2019 Brake Safety Week rendered only 13.5% of violations brake-related.

Driving on the road means that there are risks, so all drivers must exercise solid defensive driving skills and pay attention to the road. Accidents still happen, though. Individuals who are involved in motor vehicle accidents may wish to procure legal help. If an individual was the victim of a truck driver’s negligence, a legal team may thoroughly analyze the evidence. If the truck’s brakes did not give the driver enough time to break, then that will be brought forward during the proceedings, and the truck company or manufacturer might be liable as well.