A two-day safety blitz led by the BC Highway Patrol in Chilliwack and Coquitlam netted more than 500 commercial vehicle defects after more than 100 inspections.
A total of 99 of the 543 vehicle defects were intercepted in Chilliwack, and 14 of those vehicles were taken right out of service.
Turns out there are consequences for cutting corners.
"Too many commercial drivers are still bending the rules by driving broken trucks and trailers," said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. "These inspections are part of our commitment to address road safety concerns. People are right to expect the best from professional drivers."
Highway Patrol and RCMP officers worked with provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) officers to examine a dump-truck and trailer (pictured) in Coquitlam. The vehicle was found to have a hole in the truck bed that leaked debris onto the road.
The Chilliwack portion of the safety blitz saw a total of 24 vehicles inspected, with 99 defects found, and 19 tickets issued.
Officers wrote a total of 79 tickets for the 543 defects, worth $18,700 in combined fines for provincial violations and bylaw tickets over the two days, on July 7 and July 8.
Among the violations was a driving school tractor that had non-compliant front brakes, a dump truck with holes in the bed that leaked its load onto the road, bald and badly worn tires, and bent and damaged wheel rims.
"We know most commercial vehicle drivers take safety seriously, and the public should know that these numbers are not representative of most professional truck drivers," said McLaughlin.
The results of the collaboration are "a testament to how well the various agencies worked together, using their combined expertise to target vehicles with visible or potential safety defects."
