Police in British Columbia removed more than half of the commercial vehicles inspected during a joint enforcement operation targeting unsafe trucks in the Lower Mainland.

Coquitlam RCMP conducted the commercial vehicle safety initiative March 4 alongside multiple partner agencies, including B.C. Highway Patrol, Vancouver Police Department, Metro Vancouver Transit Police, New Westminster Police Department, Delta Police Department and several municipal bylaw teams.

Officers inspected 28 commercial vehicles during the operation. Sixteen were placed out of service due to serious safety defects.

In total, officers documented 69 vehicle defects and issued 12 violation tickets.

Authorities say joint enforcement operations are particularly important in the region because commercial vehicles frequently cross municipal boundaries throughout the Lower Mainland.

During the operation, officers also stopped a truck pulling a trailer that was 5,260 kg overweight based on the limits permitted by its insurance. The vehicle was also overweight for axle and tire limits, and officers found the truck’s tires and chains were severely worn.

“Commercial vehicle operators have a responsibility to ensure their vehicles are operated within the law and remain in safe working condition,” said Staff Sgt. Mark McCutcheon of the Coquitlam RCMP traffic unit. “Failing to properly maintain their vehicles and operating outside of what’s legally permitted puts all road users at significant risk.”

Police say targeted commercial vehicle enforcement will continue as part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety.