Canadian Jurisdictions Conduct Yearly Inspection Blitz

Ottawa, June 23, 2009 – The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) is pleased to report that over 82% of commercial vehicles inspected as part of this year’s Roadcheck successfully passed inspection, demonstrating the high level of mechanical fitness of Canada’s truck and bus fleet. The annual roadside safety inspection blitz was conducted across North America June 2-4 by enforcement agencies in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The event is coordinated by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) in partnership with CCMTA member-jurisdictions.  

Safety inspections of vehicles and drivers are conducted at sites in all Canadian jurisdictions. As part of the event, vehicles not bearing a valid inspection decal are selected at each location and subjected to the most comprehensive and stringent of the CVSA on-road inspection procedures. (Figures do not include vehicles waved through and considered “passed” due to the presence of a valid CVSA decal; see General Note, Appendix A.)

Over the three-day event, 7,800 vehicles and drivers underwent full inspections for mechanical and driver fitness. Of those, 6,411 vehicles and 7,550 drivers passed CVSA’s rigorous roadside inspection criteria. Inspectors issued 7,806 new decals to individual trucks, trailers and passenger-carrying vehicles across Canada, signifying CVSA’s highest degree of safety and mechanical fitness.

In total, 1,353 trucks, 36 passenger-carrying vehicles and 250 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 may include wheels, tires, frame and load security. In many cases, drivers are able to make the necessary adjustments on site, are re-inspected and continue on their way. A total of 3.2% of drivers were  placed out of service for log book, driver qualification or paperwork problems, a slight improvement over figures for the last several years. (Results from this year’s initiative as well as Roadcheck 2008 and 2007 are shown in the attached tables.)

This year’s average vehicle out-of-service rate of 17.8% is slightly better than last year’s figure of 18.2%, and continues a steady, overall downward trend in the national OOS rate over the past 12 years. Brake-related defects continue to account for close to 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 2009 Brake Safety Week planned for September 13-19. The event is dedicated to enhancing knowledge, regulatory compliance and performance of commercial vehicle braking systems. 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 nationwide in the years ahead.

Roadcheck 2009 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 more 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 do not include vehicles waved 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 passenger-carrying vehicle inspections.

June 23, 2009

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 do not include vehicles waved 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 passenger-carrying vehicle inspections.

 June 27, 2008

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 waved 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