Thousands of trucks placed out-of-service after inspection blitz

Commercial trucks play an important role in our economy. They help transport goods from manufacturer to retailer and help provide everyone with the things they need. From groceries to diapers, the trucking industry plays an important role in our everyday lives.

Since these vehicles often carry thousands of pounds of goods, they can be difficult to stop. As a result, various regulations are in place to help better ensure that the brakes that are used on these vehicles are in operating order. These brakes are often checked during regular inspections, but additional inspections are sometimes warranted.

This was the case with a recently concluded inspection blitz.

What is an inspection blitz? This inspection blitz was a week of inspections that focused on brake violations. The blitz ran from September 11^th to the 17^th, during Brake Safety Week.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) reports 18,057 commercial truck inspections were conducted during this time. Inspectors included a focus on out-of-adjustment brakes as well as any other brake system violation that could be at issue. This included loose parts, hydraulic fluid leaks, and issues with the brake pads or linings among other things.

What did the inspectors find? A recent report by Overdrive, a publication focusing on issues in the commercial trucking industry, notes that 3,900 trucks were placed out-of-service during the blitz. Of the 3,900 trucks that received an out-of-service designation, 2,352 were due to brake violations and 1,100 were the result of a combination of brake and other violations.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time brake issues have posed a problem with commercial vehicles. An inspection blitz that ran in June found a high number of brake violations. In fact, almost half of the out-of-service placements were connected to brake violations.

Why are these inspection blitzes important? Although safety inspections of commercial trucks are conducted on a regular basis, these blitzes serve an important role. They target areas that are of key importance, such as brake safety, and take that extra step to help reduce the risk of trucking accidents on our nation's roadways.

If an accident results from a commercial vehicle that is not properly maintained, compensation is likely available to cover the costs connected to the accident. This can include bills associated with injuries and property damage. Contact an experienced attorney to discuss your options.