NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE SERVICE
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BRADFORD - In keeping with our ongoing commitment to road safety, South Simcoe Police in partnership with York Regional Police, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ministry of Transportation Enforcement Unit completed a commercial motor vehicle blitz in Bradford West Gwillimbury on Thursday, Oct. 26.
Twelve officers from the four agencies participated in the one-day initiative and inspected 31 commercial motor vehicles. Of these, 16 trucks or 52 percent were taken out of service due to mechanical and safety concerns. Many of the defects were repaired during the day and the drivers/owners of the commercial vehicles were released from the inspection site. However, seven of the trucks had to be towed away due to serious mechanical defects that could not be repaired.
Officers also stopped two commercial motor vehicles being operated by drivers who were suspended. They are both facing charges of driving while under Ssuspension and will be appearing in Provincial Offences Court next month. In addition, 30 charges were issued under the Highway Traffic Act, including insecure loads, improper tires, overweight vehicles, improper braking systems as well as documentation violations. One commercial motor vehicle that was checked by officers was found to be 18,000 kilograms overweight. If convicted, the driver faces a potential fine in excess of $5,000.
Any defect that compromises the safe operation of a vehicle can result in it being taken out of service. A commercial motor vehicle inspector has the option to detain the vehicle until it has been repaired or removing the plates.
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