next week's "brakedown"

Brake Safety Week, which is taking place next week (August 20-26th) is an initiative spearheaded by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). With representatives from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, the CVSA shines a spotlight on the importance of brake systems in our commercial vehicles.  Expect an "unannounced one-day brake safety enforcement initiative, which may be held at any time," according to the CVSA.

Here's what you need to know:

🔍 Focused Inspections: Throughout the week, commercial vehicle inspectors assess brake systems across North America, ensuring that every vehicle's brakes are in optimal condition for road safety.

🚫 Safety Protocols: Vehicles identified with brake issues are temporarily placed out of service for necessary corrections. This ensures that our roads remain safe, with only well-maintained vehicles in operation.

🎓 Education Component: Brake Safety Week is more than just inspections. It's an opportunity for continuous learning. Drivers, mechanics, and industry professionals gather to discuss best practices in brake maintenance and the latest advancements in brake technology. The week promotes an environment where knowledge sharing enhances overall safety.

📊 Safety Stats: After the week concludes, CVSA releases statistics on the inspections, shedding light on the state of commercial vehicle brake health in the region. 

According to the CVSA's results from the unannounced Brake Safety Day inspections from earlier this year (April 2023):

United States – Inspectors placed 679 (11.5%) of the 5,901 total commercial motor vehicles inspected out of service for brake-related violations.

meet the host: cvsa

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is an international not-for-profit organization comprising local, state, provincial, territorial, and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The CVSA's mission is to improve commercial motor vehicle safety and uniformity throughout North America.

the roadmap to navigating brake safety week: prep & best practices

• Regular Maintenance Checks 🛠️: Establish a proactive maintenance routine. Frequent inspections and servicing of brake components can preempt potential issues before Brake Safety Week.

• Educate & Train Drivers 🎓: Equip drivers with knowledge on basic brake system checks. Understanding early warning signs of brake issues can prevent bigger problems.

• Use a Checklist 📋: Implement a detailed brake inspection checklist for both drivers and mechanics. This ensures a thorough examination of every brake component.

• Pre-Brake Safety Week Inspection: Schedule a comprehensive brake inspection for the entire fleet a few weeks before the official week. This allows any identified issues to be addressed in advance.

• Promote a Safety Culture: Emphasize safety over mere compliance. By instilling a culture where safety is paramount, all members of the organization will naturally work towards ensuring vehicles are in peak condition.

what shippers need to know: impact on the freight market

Don't be one of those shippers, drivers, or carriers that are caught unprepared. How will this Brake Safety Week affect the current freight market?

Drake Reinke, President of Logistics for AMX,  is on the forefront of pricing for AMX and monitors the freight market for potential disruptions. Looking ahead, he says, "some owner operators and drivers for smaller fleets will elect to stay off the road as they don’t want to deal with any DOT inspections."  It's not always the typical inspection delays for these stops. "The drivers that do stay running during safety week can miss deliveries for being detained by DOT, especially if there are severe safety violations against the driver," Drake adds.

In short, here's what to expect:

• Potential Delays: Trucks sidelined for brake violations can result in delivery delays, requiring carriers to adjust schedules or deploy alternative vehicles.

• Capacity Tightening & Rate Increases: With trucks temporarily out of service, there's a short-term reduction in available capacity. This limited truck availability, combined with consistent freight demand, can lead to temporary spikes in spot rates.

• Increased Operational Costs: Carriers face the financial burden of repairs, potential penalties, and even towing for trucks flagged during the week, impacting their profit margins.

how shippers can be proactive & benefit

• Advance Planning: Review and adjust shipping schedules. Consider advancing or postponing certain shipments to avoid potential disruptions.

• Diversify Carrier Options: Collaborate with multiple carriers to ensure backup options are available in case of capacity shortages.

• Stay Informed: Be aware of the specific dates and emphases of Brake Safety Week to anticipate potential bottlenecks.

• Open Communication: Maintain clear communication with carriers about expectations and any schedule changes they might anticipate.

• Buffer Inventory: If feasible, increase inventory levels slightly before Brake Safety Week to accommodate potential delays in replenishment.

• Rate Expectations: Understand that spot rates might fluctuate during this period due to demand and capacity changes.

Leverage Safety Stats

Shippers and brokers prioritize carriers with strong safety records, which can influence future business prospects and keep the roads more safe. Carriers can utilize these stats to pull equipment, reward drivers and teams for adhering to the maintenance schedule, and promote their brand as a leader in safety.

Together, leveraging safety stats as a business move incentivises everyone in the trucking industry to prioritize safety.

the importance of brake safety week

I think we can all agree that brakes are important for all vehicles, whether you're transporting goods or not. When hauling heavy shipments around our roadways in some heavy equipment, brake safety means life or death.

According to the American Trucking Association report from July 2023:

Trucks moved 61.9% of the value of surface trade between the U.S. and Canada and 83.5% of cross-border trade with Mexico, for a total of $947.92 billion worth of goods.

In comparison to other factors or road safety such as distractions, weather, or other outside influences, equipment safety is one factor that we have a huge influence on through regular maintenance. Taking the time to carry out maintenance and inspections is critical to maintaining road safety and preventing accidents.

The importance of open dialogue: The AMX #SafetyFirst Approach 

In addition to our on-site CDL school, AMX Academy, where we start with safety first before getting into a truck, we utilize different tools to keep an open line of communication with drivers. Dan Banner, our Director of Safety, ensures drivers receive daily fleet messages along with continuous dialogue with drivers.  Can you guess what these daily messages and continuous dialogue focus on? You guessed it - safety!

At AMX, we utilize our fleet performance tools, like safety cameras and driving analytics, to review incidents and best practices one-on-one with our drivers to optimize safety. So, for Brake Safety Week, what do we look for?

1. Hard braking events.
2. Low tire pressure.
3. Continuous braking down hills.
4. Speeding which requires more brake use to slow down.  

In essence, Brake Safety Week is a testament to the trucking industry's commitment to safety, education, and excellence. By focusing on these core strategies, carriers and drivers can confidently navigate Brake Safety Week and prioritize road safety. 

Here's to safe journeys and the vital role brakes play in them! 🚚

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