Government, Trucking Industry Offer Free Brake Inspections
Government and the trucking industry are working together to make Maritime highways safer during Brake Safety Awareness Week.
Truckers who stop at the Kelly Lake Vehicle Inspection Station on Highway 102,near the Halifax International Airport,on Wednesday, Aug. 29 will receive a free brake check from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vehicle inspectors from all three Maritime provinces will provide the free checks and a carrier-safety officer from Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations will have information about the National Safety Code.
There will also be a barbecue for truckers courtesy of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association. Other refreshments will be provided by Nova Scotia Trucking Human Resource Sector Council.
Two sponsors, MacKay's Truck and Trailer Center of Truro and Pennecon Limited of St. John's, N.L., will each have a mechanic on hand to make free brake adjustments where necessary. The Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association will provide safety literature.
"By working together with industry, we can help truckers spot potential problems before they occur," said Angus MacIsaac Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "Our inspection staff will go over the brakes with truckers and show them exactly what is looked for when doing an inspection."
Trucker participation is voluntary and no tickets will be written. Nothing found will count against a company's safety record. Having inspectors from all three provinces emphasizes the effort by regulators to standardize truck inspections across North America.
"This event is getting more popular every year and is helping us build a strong relationship with the trucking industry," said Paul Cormier, vehicle compliance training and outreach officer for the Department of Transportation and Public Works. "We want truckers to feel comfortable in calling us before there's a problem."
Similar events will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the other Maritime provinces. One will be held Tuesday, Aug. 28 at the Borden/Carleton inspection station in P.E.I. and another Thursday, Aug. 30 at the Salisbury inspection station in New Brunswick.