For the City-Times

To help prevent large-truck crashes, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Division of State Patrol will participate in “Brake Safety Week” sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) from Sunday, Sept. 7, to Saturday, Sept. 13.

Along with other law enforcement agencies across North America, State Patrol inspectors throughout Wisconsin will intensify their 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, which takes the vehicles off the road until the problems are corrected. Even in ideal conditions, the braking distance for commercial motor vehicles is twice as far as that for most cars. Poorly adjusted or defective brakes increase the risk to the occupants of the commercial motor vehicle as well as all other motorists on the road.

During last year’s Brake Safety Week, the State Patrol conducted 1,071 inspections that found 3,026 safety violations. A total of 197 vehicles and 63 drivers were placed out of service.