Alright, trucking family, grab a pen, mark your calendar, and maybe even tattoo it on your arm. August 24 to 30, 2025, is Brake Safety Week, and it’s coming fast—like a load of bricks down a steep grade.
This isn’t your average “awareness week” where you slap a poster on the wall and call it good. No way. This is the week when the CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance), along with law enforcement teams across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, rolls out the full-force inspections. They’ve got checklists ready, clipboards in hand, and they’re looking to see if your trucks are up to the task.
If your brakes aren’t ready, they’ll park your rig. It’s as simple as that.
What’s Brake Safety Week All About?
Brake Safety Week is a North America-wide blitz focused entirely on—no surprise here—brake safety. This year, they’re turning up the heat. Inspectors won’t just give your brake pads a casual glance and wave you through. They’re laser-focused on your drums and rotors, the often-forgotten heroes of your braking system.
Think of drums and rotors like the offensive line on a football team. They may not get much attention, but without them, the whole play falls apart. When they fail, it’s not a minor inconvenience. It’s a dangerous situation that can ruin someone’s day—or worse.
The 2024 Wake-Up Call: The Numbers Tell the Story
Let’s talk numbers, because they reveal a lot.
In 2024, during Brake Safety Week:
🌟 16,725 inspections were conducted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
🌟 2,149 vehicles (12.8 percent) were taken out of service for brake-related violations
🌟 1,355 vehicles had stand-alone brake violations
🌟 1,216 trucks failed because 20 percent or more of their brakes were inoperative
🌟 654 vehicles had brake lining or pad issues
🌟 26 vehicles (5.75 percent) failed Performance-Based Brake Tester (PBBT) checks due to weak braking force
That’s right—more than one in ten trucks got parked. Not delayed. Not given a warning. Parked.
Drums, Rotors, and the Hidden Dangers
So why are drums and rotors in the spotlight this year? It’s simple: these parts fail more often than you think, and the consequences can be catastrophic.
Rotors can crack, warp, or overheat, turning into dangerous projectiles on the highway. Imagine a 200-pound chunk of metal breaking loose and smashing through a windshield. That’s not just a headache—it’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Drums, on the other hand, can wear thin, develop heat cracks, or even shatter under pressure. If that happens, your brakes won’t just work poorly. They may not work at all. Picture barreling downhill with 80,000 pounds of cargo and realizing your brakes have checked out for the day. That’s the kind of moment that makes you wake up in a cold sweat at 3 a.m.
The Real Risk: It’s Not Just a Ticket
Let’s clear something up. A brake violation isn’t just a slap on the wrist. It’s a red flag that signals much bigger problems for your business.
Here’s what happens when you fail an inspection:
🌟 Your truck is parked until repairs are made. That’s downtime you’re not getting paid for.
🌟 Your CSA scores take a hit. Every violation drags down your Compliance, Safety, Accountability score, which can drive up insurance rates.
🌟 Your reputation suffers. Shippers, brokers, and customers won’t trust carriers who can’t stay compliant.
🌟 You face potential legal trouble. If your brakes fail and cause an accident, you could be looking at lawsuits, settlements, and a mountain of stress.
This isn’t just about following rules—it’s about protecting your drivers, your business, and the people sharing the road.
What Inspectors Are Looking For
Let’s break it down. During Brake Safety Week, inspectors will:
🌟 Check for cracks, rust, or damage on drums and rotors
🌟 Inspect brake linings and pads for wear or contamination
🌟 Look for air system leaks and confirm the system holds proper pressure
🌟 Ensure brakes are correctly adjusted—because even a flawless brake can’t help if it’s misaligned
🌟 In some areas, use Performance-Based Brake Testers to measure actual braking force
If you’ve been cutting corners or telling your team “we’ll get to it later,” this is the week when those choices catch up with you.
Your Survival Plan: Don’t Wait—Dominate
Want to ace Brake Safety Week? Here’s the blueprint:
🌟 Inspect your fleet now. Don’t wait for August. Get under those trucks, check every drum, rotor, pad, and air line. If something’s off, fix it today.
🌟 Train your drivers. They’re your first line of defense. If they don’t know what to look for, your entire operation is at risk.
🌟 Use DOTDocs. This tool makes tracking inspections, maintenance, and compliance simple. No more scrambling when the inspector shows up.
🌟 Book a mock audit with Eclipse DOT. We’ll simulate a real inspection, find any gaps, and help you close them fast.
🌟 Document everything. If it’s not written down, it didn’t happen. That’s a fact in the eyes of the CVSA.
Why Eclipse DOT? Because You Deserve More Than a Checklist
Let’s be real. You’ve got a business to run, clients to serve, and a reputation to protect. You don’t have time to play guessing games with DOT compliance or hope your trucks pass inspections by sheer luck.
That’s where Eclipse DOT steps in.
We don’t just help you pass an inspection. We help you build a bulletproof compliance system that keeps your trucks moving and your clients happy.
When you partner with us, you get:
🚚 Training for your team—drivers, mechanics, fleet managers—so everyone knows exactly what to do
🚚 Mock audits that feel like the real thing, so your team knows what to expect
🚚 DOTDocs, your digital brain for compliance, inspections, and maintenance
🚚 A supportive partner who makes compliance feel less like a burden and more like a smart business strategy
This isn’t just about Brake Safety Week. It’s about running a business that’s safe, reliable, and known for getting the job done right.
Final Thought: Don’t Gamble With Brakes
Your brakes don’t care if you’re busy. They don’t care about your schedule, your deadlines, or your customer demands. When they fail, they fail—and they don’t wait for a convenient moment.
So, don’t let Brake Safety Week catch you off guard. Start today. Inspect your fleet. Train your team. And if you need a hand, call Eclipse DOT. We’re ready to help.
Let’s make Brake Safety Week a non-event for your fleet. Let’s turn compliance from a headache into your competitive advantage.
Ready to simplify compliance and keep your fleet rolling?
📞 Contact Eclipse DOT today for a free micro-audit
📲 Check out DOTDocs and see how easy compliance can be
🌐 Visit eclipsedot.com to learn more
Let’s keep those brakes tight, your trucks moving, and your business thriving.
