For the City-Times

To help prevent large-truck crashes throughout the state, the Wisconsin State Patrol will participate in “Brake Safety Week” sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) from Sunday, September 8, to Saturday, September 14.

Along with other law enforcement agencies throughout North America, the State Patrol will intensify their inspection efforts during the week to identify faulty braking systems on large trucks and other commercial motor vehicles. State Patrol inspectors also will educate drivers, mechanics and commercial motor vehicle companies about the importance of checking brakes routinely and properly maintaining them.

According to CVSA, out-of-adjustment air brakes and brake system defects are the major reason for commercial motor vehicles being placed out of service. Even in ideal conditions, the braking distance for commercial motor vehicles is twice as far as that for most cars and other smaller vehicles. Poorly adjusted or defective brakes increase the risk to the operator and occupants of the commercial motor vehicle as well as all other motorists on the road.

A combination of effective law enforcement and safety education has helped improve commercial motor vehicle safety in Wisconsin during the last 10 years. Large truck crashes declined from 7,964 in 2003 to 5,882 in 2012, which was a 26 percent reduction. Moreover, large-truck crash fatalities dropped from 102 in 2003 to 71 in 2012, which was a 30 percent reduction.