EDMONTON – Edmonton police are on the look out for commercial vehicles that don’t meet safety standards.
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Traffic Section will be conducting commercial vehicle inspections this week along the city’s major roadways.
Police say inspections are necessary because commercial vehicles continue to fail inspections. Last year, almost half didn’t pass the inspection and were declared out of service.
“These big rigs and delivery trucks roll along next to us in traffic every day, and they may pose a risk to motorists and pedestrians,” says Sgt. Kerry Bates with the EPS Commercial Vehicle Inspection Detail. “It’s imperative that we hold the drivers and companies responsible for the safety of their vehicles, and prevent dangerous or deadly situations from arising.”
The compliance checks will target commercial vehicles over 4,500 kg.
Safety inspectors will focus on overweight loads, faulty equipment, securement of loads, over-dimensional loads, dangerous or stolen goods, and the condition of drivers.
Two-hundred 75 vehicles were inspected during the fall 2013 checks, resulting in 46 per cent of commercial vehicles being declared out of service, 24 per cent requiring attention, and 30 per cent of vehicles passing inspection.
“Out of service can be a major issue where the truck has to be towed away from from the site for repairs,” explains Bates.
“Some are issues that may require just load securement, which can be rectified here at the site and repaired, and they’re on their way.”
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