Virginia DMV officials highlight 'Brake Safety Week'

"Raising brake safety awareness is a critical part of our mission to reduce crashes and save lives," said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the governor's Highway Safety Representative. "By educating professional drivers on the importance of maintaining their vehicle's braking systems, we are taking proactive steps to prevent accidents and make our roads safer for everyone. Your safety is our priority, and, together, we can make a difference."

As a part of Brake Safety Week in Virginia, the DMV's Law Enforcement Division is supporting the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance with inspection and enforcement of brake systems and components for commercial vehicles. Brake Safety Week is an enforcement and outreach effort aimed at commercial motor vehicle and driver brake-related compliance and safety awareness.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, brake-related violations are a significant concern, composing the largest percentage of out-of-service vehicle violations. The three-day CVSA International Road Check found that 25.2% of all out-of-service vehicle violations were related to brake systems.

In addition to conducting motor carrier safety inspections at fixed and mobile locations throughout the state, DMV's law enforcement officers will provide educational information to drivers to ensure they understand how critical properly functioning brake systems are to highway safety.

For details about CVSA’s Brake Safety Week, click here.