There are occasions when errors are an inevitable part of the human condition. Other times, they’re a symptom of bigger problems that infect a bloated, redundant system.

Truckers who get pulled over by MTO inspectors at roadside can attest to both situations. Tire condition, for example, is a common irritant. Sure, a scale inspector can make an honest mistake in placing trucks out-of-service with tires that are actually within tolerance. But how often is that situation triggered by overzealousness — a government worker trying to meet some real or perceived quota, perhaps?

With that in mind, allow me a comment or three on some recent events that’ll drive any right-minded person batty.

You’ve probably already heard something about the so-called licence-plate controversies in Ontario. In one case, a Peterborough, Ont., man was denied the renewal of his vanity plates because the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) deemed them to be too “religious.”

The inscription (which Russell Henry has had on his plates for 20 years) apparently no longer “meet the ministry’s current criteria since (the) configuration could be considered by some members of the public to connotate religion,” says the ministry.

So what was the offensive message the MTO all of a sudden finds unacceptable? GODSGR8? Um, No. JSUSSAVS? Guess again. Try this: HV F8TH — as in “have faith.”

Faith in what, exactly? Well, presumably Henry is referring to God. But how does some clerk in the ministry come to that conclusion? For all that MTO staffer knows, Henry could be a die-hard (albeit misguided) Maple Leafs fan imploring Leaf Nation not to give up hope. And seeing the plates are 20 years old, that makes as much sense as anything else.

Days after that story erupted, the MTO made headlines again — this time for rejecting United Church Rev. Joanne Sorrill’s personalized “REV JO” plates. Even more unbelievable is the litany of quasi-justifications the MTO offered up for its decision. First, the ministry said the plates referenced speeding, like “REVving” an engine — geddit? Then, it cited the pro-Christianity thing again.

Finally, the government said the inscription could be confused with Rev — some sort of vodka-based cooler drink. I think they’re still trying to untie the guy who twisted himself into knots coming up with that one. And these are the folks we’re supposed to entrust a controversial decision like speed limiters to?

In fairness, Premier Dalton McGuinty himself reversed the decisions a week later, calling them “outright laughable.” Good for him. But neither he nor the media will be around every time bureaucrats get drunk with authority.

Before McGuinty stepped in, though, Ministry spokeswoman Emna Dhahak told a newspaper that the MTO review committee uses specific criteria to “ensure a plate doesn’t imply, condone or appear to condone anything that could relate to anything such as violence, religion, racism, alcohol or public officials.”

I’ve spoken to Ms. Dhahak several times, and in my opinion she’s one of the most pleasant government spokespeople around. But this is the kind of bureaucratic boilerplate that just makes me cringe, because I know this kind of stuff is imbedded in the system.

When the cameras and microphones are out of sight, the MTO doesn’t often own up to mistakes. How many truckers have been placed out-of-service even after proving the inspector wrong at roadside?

Often, the only way to vindicate yourself is a trip to court. But as you guys know, the hassle and expense can be inconsequential at that point. You pay up front to have those tires changed — or you get whatever licence plate the MTO computer spits out for you — and you get back on the road. Right?