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Over 100 trucks taken out of service, hundreds of charges laid during Halton safety blitz

Police report 10 per cent rise in suspected defects and infractions
20241004haltonpolicetruckblitz
A Halton Police officer inspects a truck during a two-day safety blitz.

NEWS RELEASE
HALTON REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) is pleased to share the results of the annual Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Enforcement Blitz that was held at Elements Casino Mohawk on October 1 and 2.

Working with in excess of 80 police officers and ministry officials from police services and agencies across the Greater Toronto Area and South Western Ontario, a total of 487 trucks were subject to mandatory inspection over the two-day event. 

Police officers, who receive specialized training in commercial truck inspections, placed 132 trucks (27 per cent) out of service until critical repairs are completed.  Areas of concern included driver licensing, daily trip inspections and hours of service, along with truck-oriented issues which included mechanical fitness, load security, and weights of trucks and loads - to ensure compliance with permits and to prevent overloading of an inspected truck’s frame, which can lead to brake failures.

A total of 322 charges were laid for various defects and infractions, which is a 10 per cent increase from 2023.  A total of 35 trucks were also found to be in such a sufficiently deteriorated state that the license plates were seized, forcing the truck owner to make repairs to re-certify and re-plate the vehicle.

There was also an increase over 2023 in incidents of truck drivers found operating with a suspended driver’s license, with over a dozen charges laid. One driver was found to be prohibited from driving and was criminally charged, with the truck impounded for 45 days at the truck owner’s expense.

“The results of this year’s HRPS CMV Blitz are both impressive in terms of our ability to collaborate with our partners to achieve results, however they’re also a disappointing reminder that unsafe trucks continue to be operated on area roadways,” said HRPS S/Sgt Ryan Snow. “Truck safety and enforcement is a 365 day-of-the-year commitment for police, and we encourage truck drivers and owners to do their part to maintain safe roads.”

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