Tennessee trooper finds ‘serious brake system defect’ during roadside commercial vehicle inspection

The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) asked truckers to pay attention to the condition of their brakes after finding a “critical commercial vehicle safety violation.”

On June 5, 2026, THP took to social media to detail a violation discovered during a recent roadside inspection in the Cookeville area.

“Troopers discovered that a slack adjuster was completely missing from one brake assembly, rendering that brake inoperative. Additionally, the brake on the passenger side drive axle measured approximately 3½ inches of pushrod travel, far exceeding allowable adjustment limits and significantly reducing braking effectiveness,” THP said.

The agency warned that brake defects like this one “can dramatically increase stopping distances and create a substantial safety risk for the driver and everyone sharing the roadway.”