Canadian RoadCheck results show improvement (August 01, 2002)

Avatar photo

OTTAWA, Ont. – The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) reports 80 per cent of Canadian vehicles passed inspections during this year’s RoadCheck blitz.

Heavy trucks were selected randomly at each location and subjected to the most comprehensive and stringent of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) on-road inspection procedures. Only trucks that did not display a valid CVSA inspection decal were pulled over and reported on, a slight change from the reporting procedure used in previous years.

A total of 9,024 vehicles and drivers underwent full inspections for mechanical and driver fitness. Of those, 7,250 passed the rigorous inspection standards. Inspectors issued 8,576 new decals to trucks and trailers across the country signifying a high level of safety and mechanical fitness.

An estimated 2.6 per cent of drivers were placed Out-Of-Service (OOS) for log book or documentation problems, roughly equivalent to the 2001 figures.

In total, 1,774 trucks and 235 drivers were placed OOS for various safety defects and violations.

An out-of-service condition can occur for infractions as simple as a rear signal light not working to the extreme of faulty steering or brakes.

Other defects include wheels, tires, frame and load security. In many cases, drivers were able to make the necessary adjustments on-site, be re-inspected, and then continue on their way.

The 20 per cent national OOS rate for RoadCheck 2002 represents a modest improvement over the 21 per cent recorded during the previous year. While CCMTA says it is encouraged by the continued trend of improvement, CVSA Region V – Canada – needs to examine the defect data to determine where to effectively focus education and enforcement efforts in the future.

The CCMTA says this is a clear sign commercial operators are doing more to ensure mechanical fitness of Canadian equipment, continuing a steady trend toward safer highways. It adds the results attest to the trucking industry’s commitment to safety.

The annual roadside safety blitz was conducted across Canada from June 4-6, as coordinated by the CVSA in concert with CCMTA member jurisdictions.

Enforcement agencies in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico participated in the event to promote highway safety. In support of the initiative, safety inspections of vehicles and drivers were conducted at sites throughout all Canadian jurisdictions.

For further information, please contact CVSA Region V president Perry Therrien at 250-851-3709.

Avatar photo

Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*