Government and Trucking Industry Offer Free Brake Inspection

Government regulators and the trucking industry are combining to make Maritime highways safer for truckers and those who share the road with them.

From Tuesday, Aug. 29, to Thursday, Aug. 31, truck drivers in the Maritime provinces will be given a free opportunity to have their brakes checked by provincial safety inspectors without fear of penalty.

"Brake systems on commercial vehicles are complex and need regular attention to make sure they are functioning properly," said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "Our inspection staff will go over the brakes with truckers and show them exactly what they look for when doing an inspection."

Participation by the truckers is strictly voluntary and no tickets will be written at these inspections. Nothing found will count against a company's safety record.

"Our theme this year is Have You Checked Your Brakes Today?" said John Oikle, area co-ordinator for the Kelly Lake vehicle compliance station for the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works. "By working together with industry we can help truckers spot potential problems. One of our sponsors, MacKays Truck and Trailer Centre of Truro, will have a technician on hand to make adjustments where necessary."

As part of an ongoing effort to standardize truck inspections across North America and into Mexico, the inspections are being co-sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association and involve inspection teams from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

Truckers can get a free brake inspection at the Kelly Lake inspection station near the Halifax International Airport on Highway 102 on Tuesday, Aug. 29. On Wednesday, Aug. 30, inspections will be available at the Borden/Carleton inspection station in P.E.I. On Thursday, Aug. 31, inspections will take place in New Brunswick at the Salisbury inspection station. Hours for all three days are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Other event sponsors including the Nova Scotia Trucking Human Resource Sector Council, Parts for Trucks of Dartmouth, will provide truckers with free coffee, bottled water and donuts while their brakes are being checked.