Truckers Invited to Free Brake Check

Truck drivers in the Maritime provinces will be given a "no harm, no foul" opportunity to have their brakes checked by provincial safety inspectors from Tuesday, Aug. 30 to Thursday, Sept. 1.

"Participation by the truckers is strictly voluntary but I hope they'll take advantage of this opportunity," said acting Transportation and Public Works Minister Michael Baker. "Our inspection staff will go over the brakes with them and show them exactly what they look for when doing an inspection."

Mr. Baker said that no tickets will be written at these inspections and nothing found will count against a company's safety record.

"We're here to educate and inform. Brakes are the main safety issue that we run into on trucks," said Don Evans, vehicle compliance manager for Transportation and Public Works. "Truckers want to be sure that their vehicles are safe as much as we do."

This brake blitz is being co-sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association and involves inspection teams from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

Truckers can get a free inspection at the Big Stop in Truro Heights (Highway 102, Exit 13) on Aug. 30, the Big Stop in Aulac, N.B. on Wednesday, Aug. 31, and at the Big Stop in Salisbury, N.B. on Thursday, Sept. 1. Hours for all three days are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Another sponsor of the event, Parts for Trucks, will have brake experts on hand in case repairs are needed. Truckers will receive coupons for free coffee and be able to watch a video demonstration of a North American standard truck inspection.

"The Maritime provinces are part of an ongoing effort to standardize truck inspections across North America and into Mexico," said Mr. Evans. "An inspection in Nova Scotia should be the same as one in P.E.I. or California."