General Headquarters — Columbus, Ohio

For Immediate Release: August 29, 2005
Contact: Lt. Tony Bradshaw Sgt. John Maxey (614) 752-2792

Free commercial vehicle brake inspections and adjustments highlight Brake Safety Awareness Week efforts

Media availability scheduled for 10:00 a.m. today at the TravelCenters of America, I-70 and U.S. Highway 42 (exit 79), London, with representatives from OSHP, PUCO, OTA, and FMCSA

COLUMBUS – Brake-related defects continue to be the most significant and frequent violations that safety inspectors discover during roadside inspections of commercial vehicles. In 2004, there were 8,720 brake-related out-of-service violations on commercial vehicles in Ohio resulting from inspections conducted by Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)-certified inspectors.

To address this safety concern, through Sept. 3, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ohio TravelCenters of America locations in London, Lodi, Toledo, and Youngstown, commercial vehicle drivers have the unique opportunity to receive professional brake education information, and receive free brake adjustments to help keep them safe on the roads.

“We want to reduce the number of highway crashes caused by faulty braking systems on commercial vehicles through education and outreach to drivers, mechanics and others on the importance of proper brake inspection, maintenance and operation,” Colonel Paul D. McClellan, Ohio State Highway Patrol superintendent, said. “These activities are intended to educate drivers and mechanics on the importance of proper brake operation.”

The effort, called Brake Safety Awareness Week, is part of an international program to better educate commercial drivers on the importance of proper brake safety. CVSA-certified inspectors from the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), in partnership with the Ohio Trucking Association (OTA), are conducting free commercial vehicle safety demonstrations to educate commercial drivers on proper brake operation, and the need for properly maintained brakes. Participating drivers can also receive free brake adjustments from the four TravelCenters of America locations. Brake Safety Awareness Week is a safety education event and no enforcement action will be taken.

"TravelCenters of America and our Shop Repair business is happy to support Brake Safety Awareness Week." said Randy Graham, TA's Vice President of Shop Marketing. "Professional truck drivers have long been proud of their rigs and their record of supporting highway safety has been impressive. Building driver awareness of brake safety reinforces this passion and TA is proud to offer free truck inspections in order to do our part for safer Ohio highways."

Braking systems on commercial vehicles are complicated and contain many parts, all of which need constant inspection and attention to ensure proper operation and performance. For that reason, this initiative places a major emphasis on increasing drivers’ and motor carriers’ knowledge of brake compliance and vehicle brake performance; and encourages commercial vehicle brake system inspections.

"The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is committed to achieving safe commercial transportation operation on Ohio's highways," PUCO Chairman Alan R. Schriber said. "We are proud to be a participant in Brake Safety Awareness Week as we will work to ensure that the commercial vehicles traveling on Ohio's highways are equipped with properly maintained brakes."

“Even though equipment malfunctions are not considered to be a major contributor to large truck crashes, even one instance is too many. This week-long focus on brakes, certainly the most critical safety component on a truck, can't help but show the public how dedicated our industry is when it comes to promoting highway safety,” Larry A. Davis, OTA President, said.

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Note to editors: Ohio TravelCenters of America locations where Brake Safety Awareness Week events are occurring are listed below. Reporters are encouraged to contact the OSHP Public Affairs Unit to coordinate for interviews/demonstrations at these locations. Additional information on Brake Safety Awareness Week is available at www.statepatrol.ohio.gov.

Brake Safety Awareness Week Locations – through Sept. 3
Ohio TravelCenters of America (7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)

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