Commercial Vehicle Inspection Blitz Starts Tuesday

A 48-hour roadside inspection blitz of commercial vehicles this week will help make Nova Scotia highways safer.

Vehicle compliance officers from the Department of Transportation and Public Works will conduct inspections around the clock from noon on Tuesday, June 6, to noon on Thursday, June 8, at the Amherst inbound scale house on Highway 104. Elsewhere, mobile patrols will inspect commercial vehicles travelling on other provincial highways. The inspections include checks related to vehicle, driver, and cargo safety.

The blitz is part of the Roadcheck program that is held annually throughout Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

"These are full-fledged, thorough inspections, said vehicle compliance manager Don Evans. "We will be checking everything and writing tickets when necessary. In some cases vehicles could even be taken out of service."

During last year's Roadcheck, 88 per cent of the trucks and trailers randomly selected for inspection were allowed to proceed.

"Safety is our primary concern, a concern that is shared by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)," said Mr. Evans. "As co-sponsor of Roadcheck, the CVSA emphasizes the industry's responsibility to keep vehicles mechanically fit and running safely, as outlined in the National Safety Code."

In addition to vehicle compliance officers this year's Roadcheck will also be attended by the RCMP, dangerous goods officials, and federal gas tax inspectors. Officers will also provide useful tips and give drivers educational materials on various aspects of commercial vehicle, driver and hazardous materials safety.