Brake Safety Week 2026 will take place August 23–29, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Organized by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) to improve commercial vehicle brake safety.

Key Details

• Dates: August 23–29, 2026
• Primary Focus: Brake drum and rotor condition
• Vehicles Inspected: Commercial motor vehicles, including large trucks and buses.
• Inspection Locations: Weigh stations, roadside inspection sites, and other enforcement locations
• Enforcement Action: Vehicles found with brake-related out-of-service (OOS) violations may be removed from service until repairs are completed.

Focus Area: Brake Drums and Rotors

Inspectors will place special emphasis on the condition of brake drums and rotors, looking for issues that can compromise braking performance, including:

• Cracks
• Missing or damaged sections
• Excessive wear
• Heavy rust or corrosion
• Deep grooves indicating metal-to-metal contact.
• Exposed center vents showing rotor wear beyond acceptable limits.

Defective drums and rotors can lead to reduced braking efficiency, component failure, and increased crash risk.

Why Brake Safety Week Matters

Brake violations remain one of the leading causes of commercial vehicle out-of-service orders during roadside inspections.

Key industry findings show:

• Brake-related defects account for a significant percentage of OOS violations.
• Many brake violations are preventable through routine inspections and maintenance.
• CVSA also conducts an unannounced Brake Safety Day during the year, emphasizing the need for continuous compliance rather than seasonal preparation.

What Inspectors Look For

During inspections, enforcement personnel may assess:

• Brake drum and rotor condition.
• Brake adjustment.
• Air brake system operation
• Missing, damaged, or improperly installed components
• Evidence of excessive wear or unsafe modifications

All repairs should meet the manufacturer’s specifications and applicable regulatory requirements.

Preparation Tips for Fleets and Drivers

To reduce the risk of violations and out-of-service orders:

1. Conduct Thorough Vehicle Inspections

• Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections consistently.
• Pay close attention to drums, rotors, pads, linings, and air brake components.

2. Address Defects Immediately

• Repair brake issues as soon as they are identified.
• Do not defer safety-critical maintenance.

3. Maintain Accurate Records

• Keep maintenance and inspection documentation current.
• Ensure Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) are completed and retained as required.

4. Focus on Year-Round Compliance

• Treat Brake Safety Week as a benchmark rather than a deadline.
• Establish ongoing preventive maintenance programs.

Medallion Transport & Logistics is proud to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Steel Across America Tour through the efforts of its long-time agent, Freedom Transport, a preferred carrier helping transport a historic piece of steel from the World Trade Center across the country in honor of the 25th anniversary of September 11.

Medallion Transport & Logistics is proud to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Steel Across America Tour through the efforts of its long-time agent, Freedom Transport, a preferred carrier helping transport a historic piece of steel from the World Trade Center across the country in honor of the 25th anniversary of September 11.

It’s that time of year again. The midwest, northeast, mountain areas in the west and more are already experiencing winter weather, including snow, sleet and hail which make driving conditions challenging, especially for truck drivers.

Medallion Transport & Logistics put together some tips to help keep truck drivers and owner-operators prepared and safe on the road.

Pre Trip Inspections are Crucial

It is always important to do a proper pre trip inspection, especially tire inflation due to constant changing temperatures during wintry conditions. Slow down and give yourself plenty of space.

Brake and accelerate slowly, most equipment is outfitted with ABS brakes but in the event you have equipment that does not have ABS- pump and release brakes lightly until you slow to a manageable speed.

Black ice can be one of the most dangerous winter conditions you may encounter.

Things you may notice when encountering black ice:

• Ice build-up on mirrors, antennas, or windshield wipers
• The spray from tires on others will stop

If the road conditions get too bad sometimes the best thing to do is to get off the road and take a break.

Don’t Leave Without These

When traveling in colder climates you never know what you may encounter.
Here are some things to remember/bring:

• Carry and wear proper clothing
• Bring an extra flashlight (or two)
• Extra food and water
• A bag of salt or sand
• Jumper cables
• Tire chains (especially if running in the northwest)
• Try to keep your fuel tanks full

More Tips

Here are more winter trucking tips from our COO, Jesse.

Questions? Contact Medallion Transport & Logistics

Medallion Transport & Logistics is committed to driver support and safety, especially when it comes to maintenance including regular inspections. We offer our freight agents and owner operators a national tire purchase program and emergency road service, although preventative maintenance for safety and to avoid any down time is always encouraged. For questions about driver safety, give us a call at 704-235-0460 or send us an email to info@medalliontrans.com.

Effective Friday, February 2nd, 2024, 6 a.m., weight restrictions will be imposed and enforced on all state trunkline highways for the entire state of Michigan, including the upper peninsula.
State trunkline highways typically carry M, I, or US designations. Weight restriction information and updates may be obtained by calling 1-800-787-8960. For companies located in Canada or New Jersey, information may be obtained by calling 517-335-0023.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will end winter load increases in the SOUTH, SOUTHEAST and METRO frost zones Friday, February 2, 2024 at 12:01 AM.

Seasonal load limit zones and restricted routes can be found on the MnDOT load limits map.

Start and end dates and other load limit information are shown at mndot.gov/loadlimits.

Overweight permits for more than 80,000 pound gross vehicle weight will continue and new permits will be issued if all axle and group weights are legal (axle weight limits).

MnDOT will report start and end dates on its 24-hour automated message center at 1-800-723-6543 for the U.S. and Canada, and locally at 651-366-5400 for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

For questions about legal axle weight during SLR; Gross Vehicle Weight Schedule, call: Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Patrol – Commercial Vehicle Enforcement 651-350-2000

For questions about oversize/overweight loads/permitting call: Minnesota Department of Transportation Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations –
Oversize/Overweight Permits 651-296-6000 Or email:  ofcvopermits.dot@state.mn.us

All changes are made with a minimum three calendar-day notice.

WisDOT announced: The Frozen Road Period begins in Zones 3 and 4 on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 12:01 AM CST. The Frozen Road Period will begin in Zone 5 when conditions warrant. The Frozen Road Period was already in effect in Zones 1 and 2.

The frozen road law allows vehicles hauling abrasives or salt for highway winter maintenance and certain forest products to carry more weight. The seasonal weight restriction program is one way to protect Wisconsin’s investments in roads.

The department maintains an interactive map for seasonal weight restrictions, which shows the frozen roads boundaries, Class II roads and posted roads.

Behind the declaration

WisDOT and county highway personnel monitor temperature forecasts, along with frost tubes – liquid-filled devices under pavement – to help determine when roads are adequately frozen to accommodate heavier loads.

The declaration is issued once the ground under highway pavement is frozen to a depth of at least 18-inches, allowing the maximum gross weight for trucks hauling logs or salt and sand for maintaining roads in winter to go up to 98,000 pounds on vehicles with a minimum of five axles (from the normal 80,000 pounds). Special permits for hauling the increased weights are not required in Zone 1 and Zone 2; however, vehicles must be legally licensed at 80,000 pounds to handle the increased weights. The higher weight limits do not apply to county or local roads unless authorized by the local agency having maintenance authority. Also, higher weights may not be transported on any highways or bridges specifically posted for lower weight limits.

More information on overweight permits can be found on the WisDOT website by searching for oversize/overweight permits. Haulers with specific questions can contact WisDOT’s Oversize/Overweight Permits Unit at (608) 266-7320. A recorded message with general information on road restrictions is available by calling (608) 266-8417.