Brake Safety Week 2026 Puts Drums and Rotors Under the Microscope
CVSA's August 2026 Brake Safety Week ran full brake inspections across North America with a focus on brake drums and rotors.
In August 2026, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) ran its annual Brake Safety Week from August 23 to 29. During the seven days, certified inspectors in Canada, Mexico and the United States inspected commercial vehicles with an emphasis on brake systems and components, CVSA said.
Focus on drums and rotors
Each year's event has a focus area. For 2026, it was brake drums and rotors. CVSA first announced the dates and focus on May 29.
The alliance said problems with drums or rotors can reduce a vehicle's braking efficiency. It also warned that broken pieces of a drum or rotor can come loose on the road, damage other vehicles and cause injuries or deaths.
On top of the usual reporting of inspections and brake-related out-of-service violations, inspectors were asked to collect data on the condition of the drums and rotors they examined. CVSA also produced a flyer with drum and rotor tips to help drivers avoid violations.
What inspectors checked
CVSA said inspectors would carry out full brake-system inspections, looking for:
- missing, non-functioning, loose, contaminated or cracked parts;
- non-manufactured holes, such as rust holes or holes worn by rubbing, and broken springs in the spring brake housing;
- audible air leaks around brake components and lines;
- service brakes that were over-stroking;
- worn brake linings or pads;
- broken or cracked drums or rotors;
- tractor protection systems that did not work;
- other brake defects that could affect safe operation.
Vehicles with brake-related out-of-service violations under the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria were kept off the road until the problems were fixed. The May announcement said vehicles with any other out-of-service violation would also be removed until repaired.
Why brakes get their own week
CVSA said brake violations remained one of the leading reasons vehicles are put out of service at roadside inspections. The week was meant to find and remove vehicles with critical brake problems and to remind carriers, drivers and mechanics about routine brake inspection and preventive maintenance.
The alliance encouraged carriers and drivers to do thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections and to make sure brake components were working before setting out. It said working brakes help drivers keep control, shorten stopping distances and reduce crash risk.
Brake Safety Week is part of CVSA's Operation Airbrake program, which aims to eliminate crashes through roadside inspections and education. CVSA said the 2026 results would be compiled and released later in the year.
Archive: this article describes rules and events as of August 2026. Regulations may have changed since, so check the current rule before relying on it.