FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, June 24, 2019 11:42am
(Ottawa) – On Thursday, June 20, 2019, the Ottawa Police Traffic Services Unit, along with Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) officers, conducted a Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Blitz in the east end of Ottawa, where 27 commercial vehicle inspections were completed.
Eight vehicles were taken “out of service” for a variety of issues, including defective brakes, load security, and weight restrictions. These vehicles were not able to continue until the repairs were made or issues rectified.
A total of 28 charges were laid between Ottawa Police and MTO, including insecure load, defective brakes, improper class of driver’s licence, and lack of pre-trip inspection, to name a few.
“The startling issue we saw was that 10 of the 27 drivers had either not completed or performed a daily pre-trip inspection or did an incomplete one,” said Ottawa Police Traffic Cst. Phil Kane. “We are seeing many commercial vehicles drivers that have no idea what a pre-trip inspection is or don’t realize that one is needed. Drivers and operators must realize that operating a commercial motor vehicle comes with certain requirements that are mandated by law.”
Ottawa Police Traffic Staff Sgt Marc-Andre Sheehy added: “We promised our community we would be addressing traffic safety and this is one way we are doing it. Commercial vehicles are always on our roads and often heavily loaded. It is important that they are in good working order.”
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