Canadian Jurisdictions Conduct Yearly Inspection Blitz

Ottawa, June 27, 2007 – The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) reports that some 82% of vehicles inspected during this year’s international Roadcheck passed inspections demonstrating a high level of mechanical fitness. The annual roadside safety inspection of commercial vehicles was conducted across Canada on June 5, 6 and 7. The international blitz is coordinated by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) in concert with CCMTA member jurisdictions. Enforcement agencies in Canada, the United States and Mexico participated in the event to promote highway safety.

As part of the event, safety inspections of vehicles and drivers are conducted at sites in all Canadian jurisdictions. Vehicles are selected randomly at each location and subjected to the most comprehensive and stringent of the CVSA on-road inspection procedures. As has been the practice over the last several years, only vehicles that did not display a valid CVSA inspection decal were inspected and reported on.

Over the three days of the event, a total of 7,275 vehicles and drivers underwent full inspections for mechanical and driver fitness. Of those vehicles, 5,926 passed the rigorous inspection standards. Inspectors issued 8,681 new decals to individual trucks, trailers and motor coaches across the country, each signifying a high level of safety and mechanical fitness. Consistent with previous years, a total of 4% of drivers were placed out of service for log book, driver qualification or documentation problems. Results from this year’s initiative as well as Roadcheck 2006 and 2005 are shown in the attached tables.

In total, 1,324 trucks, 25 motor coaches and 291 drivers were placed out of service for various safety defects and violations. An out-of-service condition can occur for infractions as simple as a rear signal light not working to the extreme of faulty steering or brakes. Other defects include wheels, tires, frame and load security. In many cases, drivers were able to make the necessary adjustments on site, were re-inspected, and continued on their trip.

This year’s out-of-service rate of 18.5 is marginally better than last year’s figure of 20.1%, and continues a steady, overall downward trend in the OOS rate over the past ten years. Consistent with historical roadside inspection data, brake-related defects continue to account for half of all out-of-service violations. As such, CVSA Region V officials strongly encourage governments, industry associations and individual carriers and drivers alike to take an active part in the upcoming 2007 Brake Safety Week planned for August 26-September 1. The event is specifically dedicated to enhancing knowledge, regulatory compliance and performance of commercial vehicle braking systems. As it is for all road users, enforcement and industry officials know that education and awareness are key to improving commercial vehicle safety. CCMTA calls on all industry players -carriers, drivers and enforcement officials- to continue working together to achieve a further, sustained drop in the out-of-service rate across the country over the next years.

Roadcheck 2007 was planned and carried out as a joint effort involving the Canadian provinces and territories, CVSA Region V (Canada), CCMTA, CVSA International and our industry road safety partners as part of an ongoing commitment to introduce safety measures and programs that result in safer vehicles, safer operators and safer highways.

For further information, please contact CVSA Region V (Canada) President John Meed, at
306-787-4133.

Notes

OOS:  Out of service

General:  The procedure for Roadcheck allows jurisdictions the flexibility of conducting the blitz for a minimum of 48 hours over the 72-hour period up to the full 72 hours.

Figures for 2007 do not include vehicles waived through and considered ‘passed’ due to the presence of a valid CVSA decal. Only vehicles without a valid CVSA inspection decal were inspected and reported on.

n/a:  Denotes jurisdictions which did not participate in motor coach inspections.

June 27, 2007

Notes

OOS: Out of service

General: The procedure for Roadcheck allows jurisdictions the flexibility of conducting the blitz for a minimum of 48 hours over the 72-hour period up to the full 72 hours.

Figures for 2006 do not include vehicles waived through and considered ‘passed’ due to the presence of a valid CVSA decal. Only vehicles without a valid CVSA inspection decal were inspected and reported on.

N/A: Denotes jurisdictions which did not participate in motor coach inspections.

June 21, 2006

Notes

OOS: Out of service

General: The procedure for Roadcheck allows jurisdictions the flexibility of conducting the blitz for a minimum of 48 hours over the 72-hour period up to the full 72 hours.

Figures for 2005 do not include trucks waived through and considered 'passed' due to the presence of a valid CVSA decal. Only trucks without a valid CVSA inspection decal were inspected and reported on.

N/A: Denotes jurisdictions which did not participate in motor coach inspections.

June 28, 2005