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OUR VIEW: Truck drivers and employers must do more maintenance to keep us safe

Trucks. What can we do about them? We’re not talking about little pickup trucks. We’re talking about those huge ones that – despite serving a valuable purpose – manage to be the bane of our driving existence.
accident
RCMP Lower Mainland District Traffic Services – Deas Island are at the scene investigating a semi-truck roll-over accident on the Highway 17 overpass just west of Highway 99. RCMP were on scene shortly after 11 a.m. Monday morning. The accident has shut down the highway as the truck is on its side, blocking both lanes of the highway. The driver of the truck was taken from the scene by ambulance to hospital for precautionary reasons according to Cpl. Peter Somerville. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Somerville said he did not know when the area would be open to traffic, but did say the investigation will most likely affect the rush-hour commute.

Trucks. What can we do about them?

We’re not talking about little pickup trucks. We’re talking about those huge ones that – despite serving a valuable purpose – manage to be the bane of our driving existence.

Trucks rumble through our communities, slowing down traffic and often stopping in the middle of intersections with their large rear-ends sticking out during rush-hour, stop-and-go traffic. 

Then there is the safety issue.

It’s clear that a large number of commercial truck drivers and companies are not taking good enough care of their vehicles, and that’s unacceptable. 

For reference, we turn to a recent two-day vehicle inspection blitz next door to us in the City of New Westminster that netted more than $19,000 in fines and $12,800 in bylaw tickets.

The police department’s commercial vehicle enforcement and traffic units led the vehicle inspection operation between Oct. 2 and 4 in partnership with the provincial commercial vehicle safety and enforcement branch. The goal was to make sure business vehicles travelling through the city are properly maintained and safe, according to a police press release. Officers focused on a number of mechanical components and driver qualifications including brakes, tires, lights, steering, load security, driver licensing and driver fatigue. Inspections included a quick visual check plus a look into the carrier’s history.

In all, 314 vehicles were inspected, and more than half had deficiencies that had to be repaired right away. Only 23 vehicles passed inspection without any issues, while 122 required minor repairs.

A total of 62 tickets were issued during the three-day enforcement blitz, according to the release.

Vehicles that were inspected included: cargo vans, pickup trucks, small delivery vehicles and trades vehicles, among other larger commercial vehicles.

So out of 314 vehicles that were inspected, only 23 managed to pass.

That seems like a small number. Is that a small number?  Yeah, it’s a small number. Governments of all levels need to start pouring some more resources into ensuring these vehicles are up to safety standards. We need more inspections. More enforcement. Tougher penalties. Tickets shouldn’t just be a cost of doing business. Seize the vehicles.

Make it hurt to ignore safety standards by cheaping out on repairs.