w w w .insidehalton.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, O ctober 1 3 , 2 0 1 7 | 4 B litz cracks down on unsafe com m ercial vehicles by Melanie Hennessey Metroland Media West Halton Regional Police have wrapped up a recent commercial vehicle inspection blitz. According to Sgt. Ryan Snow, the initiative involving Halton police officers and personnel from other law enforcement agencies, saw 477 vehicles inspected over a two-day period beginning Oct. 4 in Milton. Of those, 156 were taken out of service, resulting in 331 charges and 24 licence plates seized. The results represent a 33 per cent failure rate. "Based on inspection metric, this year was our busiest year yet conducting this blitz," said Snow of the program that saw commercial vehicles escorted to the parking lot at Mohawk Racetrack for inspection. "Local security, mechanical defects, overweight vehicles, failing to complete inspections and documentary issues were all encountered and led to significant charges being laid." Police from across the GTA were out in full force on Halton roadways last week ensuring trucks travelling through the area were safe. The officers took part in the two-day commercial vehicle truck inspection OPP Const. Kyle Kneeshaw checks over a dump truck at Mohawk Racetrack Wednesday (Oct. 4) as part of a two-day commercial vehicle truck inspection blitz. | Melanie Hennessey/Metroland blitz, Wednesday and Thursday (Oct. 4 and 5) at Mohawk Racetrack. A total of 70 inspectors and officers from eight police agencies, in addition to the provincial ministries of finance, environment and transport were involved in the initiative that aimed to inspect 500 vehicles in 48 hours. "We want to ensure truck drivers and truck operators recognize they have a massive responsibility to ensure their operations are safe," said Snow of the Halton Regional Police Traffic Services Unit. From overloaded trucks to exposed steel belting on tires and even loose drive shafts, the officers involved have seen it all. "That drive shaft that weighs hundreds of pounds could detach from the vehicle and come out on the roadway," said Snow. "Imagine a big javelin or spear bouncing down the roadway thats going to impale another car." The officers are also checking for load security such as ensuring that any construction equipment being transported by a truck is properly chained down. If not, that 10,000-pound excavator might become a huge hazard in an accident that could crush the truckfe cab and potentially kill the driver, or harm other motorists, said Snow During the blitzes, the police also commonly deal with permit and licensing issues, he added. Enforcement officers were deployed across the region looking for commercial vehicles that appeared to be deficient in mechanical fitness or displayed a safety or load concern. The vehicles were then being escorted back to the inspection site in the Mohawk Racetrack parking lot. On the Wednesday morning, several trucks had already been temporarily taken out of service due to safety concerns. Operators are given the option of having repairs done on-site, but significant defects, such as a cracked truck frame, lead to the vehicle being declared unfit and having its plates removed, said Snow. "The onus is on the operator of the vehicle and the owner of the truck to conduct inspections," he said. "If we find deficiencies and defects that indicate you haven't done your due diligence, that's indicative that you're wilfully driving an unsafe vehicle." In addition to having their trucks taken off the road, those driving unsafe vehicles are also charged. Fines range from $110 to over $500, with the latter also earning the driver a day in court, said Snow. Registered commercial vehicle operators can also receive demerit points, and those who accrue too many will have their operating permit suspended by the Ministry of Transportation. "It can potentially have a lot of ripple effects when you operate a vehicle that' s unsafe," said Snow. "But the bigger issue here is safety. When your business can impact other road users, and we see that carnage on the roads all the time, you have to ensure your vehicle meets the minimum standards required by the Ministry of Transport." The blitz is a Halton Regional Police annual initiative that kicked off at Mohawk in 2004. Last year, it saw 470 trucks inspected over a two-day period. 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