ORILLIA, Ont. — The number of trucks stopped during the OPP’s annual blitz targeting commercial vehicles was down, but the number of charges handed out increased.

During “Operation Corridor,” officers stopped 1,431 commercial vehicles and placed 31 of them out of service due to equipment issues or hours of service violations. In total, 355 commercial motor vehicle-related charges were issued.

The province-wide blitz began at 6 a.m. on Aug. 18 and ended at 6 a.m. on Aug. 19. During the 24-hour period the OPP targeted aggressive commercial motor vehicle drivers and unsafe commercial vehicles operating on all 400 series provincial highways and provincial highways 11 and 17.

Of the charges laid during Operation Corridor, 131 were for speeding, 82 were equipment related and three were for drinking and driving.

Last year, 1,532 vehicles were stopped during the blitz and 285 charges were laid for offences such as speeding, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, impaired driving, seatbelt charges and other related offences.