Provincial police have launched a three-week campaign to find unsafe commercial vehicles and prevent crashes across southwestern Ontario.
Project Safe Haul started Wednesday and runs to Nov. 1.
During the blitz, OPP and commercial vehicle inspectors will check brakes, tires, cargo securement and steering components, police said.
“Anytime that we may locate an unsafe vehicle, commercial motor vehicle, obviously the driver is spoken to, there’s a thorough inspection completed by trained commercial motor vehicles inspectors, and I can tell you that that vehicle is taken off the roadway until such time that vehicle is properly repaired.”
Ali Alkhatib, program manager of licensing and compliance at Fanshawe College’s Corporate Training Solutions, says safety starts before the truck even goes into traffic.
Inspections before leaving the lot help drivers find problems in truck cabs and around the vehicle and regular maintenance can catch mechanical issues or wear down before they become serious, Alkhatib said.
Truck drivers work under very demanding conditions and carry heavy loads, making these checks extremely important.
“It doesn’t rest with one person. Drivers, employers, and maintenance teams, they all have a role to play. It’s a team effort,” said Akhatib.
Fanshawe’s commercial drivers training works on inspection before, during and after trips.
“Through commercial driver education and training, we emphasize that safety begins with preparation. It continues with proper vehicle inspection and it depends on sound decisions every time a driver gets behind a wheel,” he said.
Alkhatib said campaigns like Project Safe Haul bring back that training and draw more attention to serious road hazards.
The OPP says updates and results will be shared throughout the campaign.
