News

Verisk CargoNet, an industry leader in cargo theft prevention and recovery, recorded 884 supply chain theft events across the United States and Canada in the second quarter of 2025, representing a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and a 10% increase from the first quarter of 2025. The estimated total loss value exceeded $128 million when applying average loss values to incidents where specific values were not reported.

The data reveals an acceleration in theft activity throughout the quarter, with incidents increasing 14.6% in April, 4.4% in May, and a substantial 21.9% surge in June.

Commodity Targeting Shows Strategic Criminal Focus

Metals theft experienced the most dramatic increase, nearly doubling with a 96% year-over-year surge to 53 incidents. This unprecedented growth coincides with copper trading near or above record highs, suggesting that organized crime groups strategically adjust their targeting based on commodity market values.

Food and beverage products also saw substantial growth, with 180 reported incidents representing a 68% increase from Q2 2024. This category now accounts for over 20% of all cargo thefts, with alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, and meat products being primary targets.

"The strategic targeting of specific commodities reveals the business-like approach of modern cargo theft operations," said Keith Lewis, Vice President of Operations for CargoNet, "These aren't opportunistic crimes – they're calculated operations targeting goods with the highest illicit-market value and easiest resale potential."

The average stolen shipment value of $203,586 represents a significant economic impact on the supply chain, with ripple effects including increased insurance costs, delivery delays, replacement orders, and ultimately higher consumer prices.

Sophisticated Fraud Schemes on the Rise

Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025, CargoNet analysts warn that complex cargo theft schemes involving document fraud and identity theft are becoming increasingly prevalent. These sophisticated operations, often perpetrated by international organized crime groups, are evolving rapidly to circumvent industry anti-fraud efforts.

"Traditional physical security measures alone are no longer sufficient," noted Lewis. "The industry must adopt a multi-layered approach combining physical security, digital verification, and real-time intelligence sharing to combat these evolving threats.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) today released new research detailing a notable demographic shift in the U.S. truck driver workforce. The research examines how broader societal and labor force trends are reshaping the industry and presents strategies for motor carriers to engage younger, more diverse, and historically underrepresented populations.  The research is organized into two key phases: 

1. chronological changes in truck driver demographics; and

2. pathways into trucking careers for former foster youth and justice-involved individuals.

The report offers a comprehensive analysis of the industry’s most pressing workforce challenges, including an aging driver population, low female representation — women currently comprise just 4.1 percent of truck drivers — and shifting employment models. With the average truck driver now 47 years old and retirements accelerating, the research emphasizes the need to modernize recruitment messaging to better resonate with younger generations.  Overall, the research provides a roadmap to help carriers enhance recruitment, improve retention, and build a more resilient driver workforce.

The report also highlights opportunities to expand access to trucking careers for individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds, particularly former foster care youth and justice-involved individuals.  These groups may face unique challenges, but with the right support, trucking can offer a stable and rewarding career path.  The research encourages carriers to adopt targeted outreach, training pipelines, and reentry support, while implementing hiring practices that assess each candidate’s circumstances and readiness on a case-by-case basis.

“As the trucking industry grapples with an aging workforce and continued demand for drivers, this research underscores the need to embrace evolving demographics,” said Amanda Schuier, Jetco Delivery Strategic Maintenance Director.  “By broadening recruitment efforts, fleets can tap into new talent pools to not only strengthen driver recruitment and retention, but also address critical workforce challenges by creating sustainable pathways into trucking careers.”

A full copy of the report is available through ATRI's website here.

King of Prussia, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that more than 80 municipal police departments from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties will join the Pennsylvania State Police in a coordinated aggressive driving enforcement wave. This collective effort, part of a statewide mobilization running through August 17, is aimed at reducing the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities on our area roadways, ensuring your safety on the road.  

The enforcement wave will target heavy truck violations, pedestrian safety, red light running, speeding, and tailgating. Motorists demonstrating unsafe behaviors, such as driving too fast for conditions or other aggressive actions, will also be cited.

Law enforcement will utilize strategies such as traffic enforcement zones, saturation patrols, speed enforcement details, corridor enforcement, work zone enforcement, and multi-jurisdictional patrols to identify and cite aggressive drivers.

The enforcement is part of Pennsylvania's Highway Safety Program and is funded by part of PennDOT's investment of federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

If you encounter an aggressive driver, PennDOT offers these tips:

• Get out of their way and don't challenge them.
• Stay relaxed, avoid eye contact, and ignore rude gestures.
• Don't block the passing lane if you drive slower than most traffic.
• Do not attempt to follow or pursue the vehicle. You or a passenger may call the police. But if you use a cell phone, pull over to a safe location. 

According to 2024 PennDOT crash data, there were 1,608 aggressive driving crashes, resulting in 43 fatalities and 99 suspected serious injuries in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Aggressive driving crashes involve at least two aggressive driving factors in the same crash. Factors include, but are not limited to, running stop signs or red lights, tailgating, careless turning or passing, and driving too fast for conditions.

The goal of targeted enforcement is to reduce the number of aggressive driving-related crashes, injuries, and deaths on roadways throughout the state. Any aggressive driver stopped by police will receive a ticket.

To learn more about PennDOT's highway safety efforts, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/safety.  

PennDOT’s media resources web page offers social media-sized graphics for numerous transportation-related campaigns, including safety topics such as aggressive driving, speeding, distracted driving, and seat belts for organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.

Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Audit aims to protect roadways, uphold integrity of trucking

WASHINGTON– U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is launching a nationwide audit into state practices in issuing non-domiciled Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs), specifically reviewing the potential for unqualified individuals obtaining licenses and posing a hazard on our roads. This action responds directly to a key directive from President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order on Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers and is part of Secretary Duffy’s commitment to safety.

“The open borders policies of the last administration allowed millions to flood our country – leading to serious allegations that the trucking licensing system is being exploited. Today, we are launching a nationwide audit to get to the bottom of this,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Our audit is about protecting the safety of families on the road and upholding the integrity of CDLs held by America’s truckers. Every state must follow federal regulations, and ensure only qualified, properly documented drivers are getting behind the wheel of a truck.”

USDOT has directed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to conduct a nationwide compliance review of states issuing non-domiciled CDLs. The review will examine state procedures for issuing non-domiciled CDLs to identify and stop any patterns of abuse and ensure federal standards are being met across the country.

The U.S. Department of Transportation remains committed to supporting America's truckers, who work every day to keep our nation’s economy moving.

Additional Information:

This week, Secretary Duffy unveiled a pro-trucker package that includes millions to expand truck parking, removing one-size-fits-all mandates, modernizing driver resources, and slashing red tape.

In May, Secretary Duffy signed an order announcing new guidelines to strengthen English language enforcement for commercial truck operators. Under the new guidance, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers who fail to comply with FMCSA longstanding English-language proficiency (ELP) requirements will be placed out-of-service.

In March, President Trump signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States

Package includes millions to expand truck parking, removing one-size-fits-all mandates, modernizing driver resources, and slashing red tape 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today unveiled a package of new initiatives, pilot programs, and regulatory updates designed to improve the lives of America’s truck drivers. The Secretary’s actions deliver on President Donald Trump’s promise through his Executive Order on Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers.   

The package includes millions to expand truck parking as well as initiatives to remove one-size-fits-all mandates, modernize driver resources, slash red tape, and crack down on bad actors. A more detailed breakdown on the package can be found here. 

“Truckers keep America running. While the country sleeps, truckers grind through the night to help keep shelves stocked, families fed, and businesses humming. It’s a job that requires grit and dedication. But for too long Washington, DC has made work harder for truckers. That ends today. Thanks to President Trump, we’re getting Washington out of your trucks and your business,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

Specific to truck parking, USDOT is set to deliver more than $275 million in grant funding to expand parking access for truck drivers nationwide – an investment which will enhance safety and improve quality of life for truckers. This includes $180 million for Florida to add 917 new truck parking spaces along the I-4 corridor in Volusia, Seminole, and Osceola Counties. 

“The trucking industry is a critical link in our supply chain and ample truck parking infrastructure is vital to the safety, security, and quality of life for Florida residents,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “Florida is one of the first states to create a robust pipeline of truck parking projects to address both immediate and future needs, and this grant from USDOT will help deliver nearly 1,000 additional truck parking spaces to serve Central Florida communities.”

Trucking groups have applauded Secretary Duffy’s package and President Trump’s leadership as a major step in the right direction:  

“We thank the Trump Administration and Secretary Duffy for their continued focus on the issues impacting America's trucking industry. As the leading mover of the nation's freight, the concerns of our industry not only impact the 8.5 million Americans who work throughout trucking, but they also affect the countless businesses and families we serve across the country. A safe and strong trucking industry is critical to America's economic growth and security, and data-driven measures like these that reduce regulatory burdens are important steps toward that end. We look forward to continued partnership with the Administration to advance policies that strengthen America's supply chain and bolster our essential workforce,” said President and CEO of American Trucking Associations Chris Spear. 

“OOIDA and the 150,000 truckers we proudly represent welcome these transformational actions from President Trump and Secretary Duffy. These steps not only improve the daily lives of truckers across America, but also enhance safety for everyone on the road. For years, truckers have urged Washington to address the severe shortage of truck parking, eliminate the dangers posed by a national speed limiter mandate, and give drivers greater control over their hours-of-service. We thank President Trump and Secretary Duffy for listening to the men and women behind the wheel who keep America’s economy moving,” said President and CEO of Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association Todd Spencer. 

Key actions within the package include:

1. Expand Truck Parking
   • Problem: 40% of truckers spend over an hour a day searching for parking – costing our national economy billions in wasted time. It’s also a safety issue – forcing truckers to park in harms way. 
   • Solution: USDOT is advancing more than $275 million in funding to expand truck parking availability and opening up additional grant programs and discretionary grants for truck parking projects.   
2. Remove One-Size-Fits-All-Mandates
   • Problem: Mandating speed limiters on heavy-duty trucks isn't just an inconvenience – it is a safety hazard when drivers are forced to go slower than the flow of traffic. 
   • Solution: USDOT is withdrawing the proposed rulemaking to mandate speed limiters so professional drivers can operate their vehicles safely.  
3. Modernize Driver Resources
   • Problem: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) online tools are outdated and a pain to use.   
   • Solution: FMCSA is launching new digital assets that are more user-friendly, modernizing the Consumer Complaint database, and updating the DataQ system so it is more transparent.  
4. Slash Red Tape & Crack Down on Bad Actors
   • Problem: Burdensome regulations make it harder for truckers to do their job while failing to go after bad actors.
   • Solution: FMCSA is proposing to eliminate 1,800 words from federal regulations, which will save truckers time and money. Concurrently, the agency has renewed its focus on unlawful double brokering—a practice that directly harms drivers. 

These actions are one of many initiatives Secretary Duffy has launched to support America’s truckers and improve safety on our nation's roadways.

In May, Secretary Duffy signed an order announcing new guidance to enforce English proficiency requirement for truckers. 

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) released updated versions of its Sustainability and Idling Regulations Compendiums. The ATRI Sustainable Freight Practices Compendium first launched in 2014 to serve as a one-stop shop for information on sustainable freight practices that can be implemented by motor carriers and their drivers. The compendium also identifies how public sector practices such as congestion mitigation, research and testing, and the use of incentives can advance sustainable freight goals. ATRI has now updated all three sections of its Sustainable Freight Practices Compendium – Driver, Vehicle, and Public Sector – with the latest research and data.

For 20 years, ATRI has provided an online compendium of the various idling regulations that limit how long commercial vehicles can idle. ATRI continues to monitor the development of idling regulations across the country and provides the compendium as a free service to help trucking companies and truck drivers comply with the myriad state and local idling regulations.

“ATRI’s Sustainable Freight Practices and Idling Regulations Compendiums continue to be among the most frequently accessed pages on the ATRI website, underscoring the industry’s commitment to proactively reducing its environmental footprint,” said ATRI President Rebecca Brewster. 

The updated compendiums are available online using these links:

·     Sustainable Freight Practices Compendium

• Idling Regulations Compendiums

Effective today, non-compliance with Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 391.11(b)(2) is now a driver out-of-service violation, according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, which are the criteria that commercial motor vehicle enforcement personnel utilize to identify violations during an inspection that prohibit a driver from operating a commercial motor vehicle.

CFR 391.11(b)(2), “General qualifications of drivers,” states that a driver must be able to read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records.

The CVSA North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria will be amended to state that drivers who cannot satisfy the English language proficiency requirements of § 391.11(b)(2), as per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Enforcement Guidance Memo MC-SEE-2025-0001, will be declared out of service. The printed version of CVSA’s North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria is updated on April 1 of each year. Although the English language proficiency out-of-service violation takes effect on June 25, it will not be listed in the printed version of out-of-service criteria until the April 1, 2026, edition is released. However, it is important to understand that the requirement to comply with § 391.11(b)(2) is currently in effect, and failure to comply will result in the driver being placed out of service.

In addition, all applicable inspection procedures have been updated to add a note to the “Greet and Prepare the Driver” step of the inspection process to reference FMCSA Enforcement Guidance Memo MC-SEE-2025-0001, which provides federal guidance to roadside inspection personnel on how to assess and enforce the English language proficiency requirements in § 391.11(b)(2).

CVSA’s membership consists of commercial motor vehicle safety enforcement officials in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. The English language proficiency regulation is a U.S. requirement. It does not apply in CVSA’s other member countries – Canada and Mexico. However, drivers and motor carriers from other countries operating in the U.S. need to comply with these requirements.

Motor carriers and drivers may visit FMCSA’s website for guidance and information on the English language proficiency roadside assessment.

Pursuant to the April 28 Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers Executive Order, on May 1, the CVSA Board of Directors voted to add non-compliance with § 391.11(b)(2) to the CVSA North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, effective June 25. This revision to the out-of-service criteria was approved by the board under an emergency provision within the CVSA Bylaws, which allows the board to vote on a change to the out-of-service criteria without a vote by Class I Members, which is the usual process for changes to the criteria. The board utilized the emergency bylaw provision to meet the executive order’s 60-day deadline.

FMCSA is the lead federal government agency responsible for regulating and providing safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles. FMCSA’s mission is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. CVSA is a nonprofit organization whose members are commercial motor vehicle safety officials who enforce the federal regulations. CVSA’s mission is to improve commercial motor vehicle safety and enforcement by providing guidance, education and advocacy for enforcement and industry across North America.

For Immediate Release: June 23, 2025

NJ Motor Truck Association: New Jersey’s ABC Test Threatens the Livelihood of Independent Truckers and Nationwide Supply Chain

Trenton, NJ – At a hearing for the New Jersey Department of Labor today, the trucking industry sounded the alarm over New Jersey’s aggressive enforcement of the ABC test for independent contractors—warning that the state’s current interpretation threatens to dismantle a core component of the nation’s supply chain and suffocate entrepreneurial opportunity.

According to Eric DeGesero, spokesperson for New Jersey Motor Truck Association, “Entrepreneurs who choose to be owner-operators are now at risk of losing their independence because of a misguided interpretation of the ABC test. 

“The trucking industry is the linchpin of the supply chain. The supply chain needs ‘temporary’ flexibility to operate. That’s the great value that owner operators bring. And what they covet.”

Owner-operators — independent truck drivers who own and operate their own vehicles — represent the backbone of the trucking industry and are emblematic of the American Dream.

They invest heavily in their own businesses, covering the cost of vehicles, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and compliance. Many actively choose this path over traditional employment for the freedom, flexibility, and independence it provides.

Yet, New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOLWD) has been applying the rigid ABC test to redefine these entrepreneurs as employees — a move that defies federal transportation law and could have devastating consequences for the industry. While the state argues that operating under a trucking company’s authority constitutes “control,” federal regulations clearly state that this relationship does not automatically determine employment status.

Supporters of independent truckers note that under all three prongs of the ABC test — control, location of business, and independently established trade — owner-operators clearly meet the criteria for independent contractor status. Their work takes place on America’s roads, not at a central office or depot, and some businesses could survive even if their current carrier relationships end.

Ironically, the State of New Jersey exempts itself from the same standards it applies to private industry. Snow removal services on the state’s roadways, for example, are routinely outsourced to private contractors — the same type of “temporary services” that NJDOLWD seeks to restrict in the private sector.

“The hypocrisy is staggering,” DeGesero continued. “On one hand, the state leans on contractors to keep its roads clear in winter. On the other, it punishes private companies for doing the same.”

“With the threat of harsh penalties, including criminal liability for misclassification, many trucking companies are hesitant to engage independent contractors altogether — a chilling effect that could reverberate across the entire supply chain. And anything that makes the distribution of goods less efficient ultimately costs the consumer."

#####

• Governor Phil Murphy today announced the full re-opening of I-80 following its temporary closures for construction after sinkholes impacted the roadway this year. All three lanes on I-80 eastbound are expected to reopen Saturday, June 21, four days ahead of schedule in Wharton, Morris County. All lanes on I-80 westbound reopened last Saturday, June 14, 11 days earlier than anticipated.

  In order to reopen the left lane and restore all lanes on I-80 eastbound, there will be a full closure of I-80 eastbound Friday night for final paving and striping.

  “I am thrilled to see all lanes of I-80 open safely this weekend so we can ensure that New Jerseyans can get to where they need to go efficiently and safely” Governor Phil Murphy said. "Importantly, I want to thank the thousands of New Jerseyans who have been impacted by these sinkholes for their patience as we worked to secure this roadway. I also want to thank NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor, the NJDOT crews, and the New Jersey State Police who have worked around the clock to open this highway safely."

  “With the reopening of all lanes on I-80 eastbound this Saturday, full mobility will be restored on I-80 in both directions ahead of schedule,” NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor said. “We could not have completed this massive project without the support and assistance of Governor Murphy, the local elected officials, and the New Jersey State Police.

  “I want to thank the NJDOT staff and our contractors for working non-stop for months to get I-80 reopened, and in particular, I want to thank the residents, businesses, and motorists for their patience during construction.

  “The repairs are permanent, and I am confident that the highway is now stronger and safer than it was before the first sinkhole developed. The engineering and magnitude of work that went into stabilizing and strengthening this road for decades to come is truly remarkable.”

  “Despite some challenging weather last weekend, I’m relieved that I-80 is still on track to fully reopen this weekend. This has been a long and difficult process, but I’m proud of how our community came together throughout this crisis,” Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco said. “From commuters and residents to local businesses, everyone worked together and showed tremendous patience. Thank you to the NJDOT leadership and the dedicated crews who’ve worked tirelessly to get this project done. We’re looking forward to getting things back to normal later this week.”

  “The re-opening of I-80 eastbound ahead of schedule is a testament to the extraordinary commitment of our transportation professionals,” Assemblywoman Aura K. Dunn said. “I want to thank the NJDOT team and all of the crews on the ground for working tirelessly, often through adverse conditions, to restore this critical corridor. Now we turn our focus to the long term work of strengthening our infrastructure so that we can better prevent emergencies like this.”

  “Thanks to the work crews and NJDOT staff we have come to the long-awaited opening of I-80 on June 21^st,” Assemblyman Christian Barranco said. “While the pain of this closure was felt throughout the district, NJDOT provided a masterclass on project management from beginning to end being able to open ahead of schedule with a beautiful new roadway.”

   

  I-80 Eastbound

  Beginning at 9 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, June 20 until 9 a.m. Saturday, June 21, all lanes on I-80 eastbound are scheduled to be closed and detoured at Exit 34/Wharton/Dover/Sparta. The closure is necessary to complete final paving and striping to reopen all lanes on I-80 eastbound. The following detour will be in place Friday night:

  I-80 eastbound at Exit 34 Detour:

  • Motorists on I-80 eastbound are being directed to take Exit 34 to Route 15/Wharton/Dover/Sparta
  • At the end of the ramp, stay right following signs for Route 15/Jefferson/Dover/Sparta/Picatinny Arsenal
  • Stay in the right lane on North Main Street following signs for Route 15 North/Jefferson/Sparta
  • Bear right toward Route 15 northbound/Picatinny Arsenal
  • At the traffic signal, merge onto Route 15 northbound
  • Stay left, following signs for Pondview Drive/U and Left Turns
  • Using both lanes, make a U-turn at the Pondview Drive traffic signal and merge onto Route 15 southbound
  • Stay left to take the exit to I-80 eastbound

  By 9 a.m. Saturday, June 21, all lanes on I-80 eastbound are expected to reopen. Two lanes on I-80 eastbound reopened May 21, and the detour utilizing Exit 34 was removed.

  I-80 Westbound

  Two lanes on I-80 westbound reopened May 30, and the detour utilizing Exit 34B was removed. All three lanes on I-80 westbound were reopened Saturday, June 14, 11 days ahead of schedule.
  
  NJDOT has created an I-80 project web page  to keep the public informed about the progress of repairs.

An I-80 travel time page  has been added to www.511NJ.org  and has current travel times.

Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org  for construction updates and real-time travel information. For NJDOT news follow us on X (Twitter) @NewJerseyDOT , on the NJDOT Facebook page , or Instagram @NewJersey.DOT .

Inspectors in 45 jurisdictions throughout Canada, Mexico and the U.S. conducted 4,569 commercial motor vehicle inspections and placed 398 (8.7%) of those vehicles out of service due to brake-related violations as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) unannounced one-day brake-safety inspection and enforcement event.

CVSA’s Brake Safety Day is an unannounced brake-safety inspection and regulatory compliance enforcement initiative when certified commercial motor vehicle inspectors conduct their routine roadside inspections with a focus on brake systems and components, and provide brake-related inspection and violation data to CVSA.

Of the 4,569 inspections conducted on April 22, 4,171 commercial motor vehicles did not have any brake-related out-of-service violations – 91.3% of the total number of vehicles inspected. Conversely, inspectors identified 398 (8.7%) commercial motor vehicles with brake-related critical inspection item vehicle violations. Those vehicles were immediately restricted from further travel until the violations were addressed.

This year, emphasis was placed on vehicles’ drums and rotors. Thirty-two (8%) commercial motor vehicles had drum/rotor violations during the one-day event. Fourteen of those violations resulted in the vehicle or combination being placed out of service.

Brake drum and rotor issues may affect a commercial motor vehicle’s brake efficiency and result in violations or out-of-service conditions that may affect a motor carrier’s safety rating. Furthermore, broken pieces of drums or rotors may become dislodged en route and damage other vehicles or result in injuries or fatalities.

Table 1 – Brake Drum/Rotor Violations

Violation Description	Air Disc Brakes	S-Cam Brakes	Hydraulic Brakes
Broken Rotor	8	0	0
Rusted Rotor	12	0	4
Metal-to-Metal Contact	0	0	0
Broken Drum	0	8	0
Total Violations	20	8	4

Inspectors identified 237 (59.5%) commercial motor vehicles that met the 20% defective brakes criterion, which is when 20% or more of the vehicle’s (or combination of vehicles’) brakes have an out-of-service condition.

In addition, inspectors identified 77 out-of-service violations related to brake hoses and/or tubing, 48 vehicles had steering axle out-of-service violations, 38 vehicles failed an air loss rate test, and there were 112 other out-of-service brake violations, such as worn brake lines/hoses, inoperative tractor protection system, inoperative low-air warning device, air leaks, hydraulic fluid leaks, etc.

Table 2 – Brake-Related Out-of-Service Violations

OOS Violation Description	OOS Violations	OOS Rate
20% Brakes	237	59.5%
Other	112	28.1%
Brake Hoses/Tubing	77	19.3%
Steering Axle	48	12.1%
Air Loss Rate	38	9.5%
Drum/Rotor	14	3.5%

 Also, nine U.S. jurisdictions utilized a performance-based brake tester (PBBT) on Brake Safety Day and conducted 100 PBBT Inspections. A PBBT is a machine that assesses the braking performance of a vehicle. U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and CVSA’s North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria require a minimum braking efficiency of 43.5%. Eight (8%) vehicles failed to meet the required 43.5% minimum braking efficiency rate and were placed out of service.

Table 3 – Data by Country

	Inspections	Brake OOS Violations	Brake OOS Rate	Drum/Rotor Violations
U.S.	3,819	303	7.9%	29
Canada	744	95	12.8%	3
Mexico	6	0	0	0
Combined	4,569	398	8.7%	32

CVSA’s unannounced Brake Safety Day is part of Operation Airbrake, a CVSA program dedicated to improving commercial motor vehicle brake safety throughout North America. CVSA’s seven-day Brake Safety Week, another Operation Airbrake campaign, is scheduled for Aug. 24-30.