The EPS Commercial Vehicle Inspection Detail and other partner agencies from across Alberta were conducting checks at three different locations in Edmonton from Tuesday, May 7, 2013 to Thursday, May 9, 2013. The locations were chosen because they receive a high volume of commercial vehicle traffic. The checks are done outside of peak hours to mitigate any impact on other motorists.
Among some of the issues they were watching out for were: overloads (e.g. vehicles carrying too much weight), faulty equipment (e.g. brakes, tires), and load securement (loads that are not properly contained).
This year’s three-day check saw 364 vehicles checked. Of those, 153 (42 per cent) were taken out of service (Had a significant defect or defects that needed immediate attention), 98 (27 per cent) required attention (e.g. underinflated tires, loose mirrors – less serious maintenance issues that require attention, but not immediate action) and 113 (31 per cent) passed inspection.
A similar three-day check in the spring of 2012 saw 42 per cent of the vehicles taken out of service, 24 per cent requiring attention, and 33 per cent passing inspection.
“We know there are issues with many of the vehicles being used to transport goods and other cargo. To what extent is magnified when we have the assistance of that many extra personnel conducting these spot inspections,” says Sgt. Kerry Bates of Traffic Services. “The checks serve a dual purpose; they educate owners and operators of commercial vehicles that they really do have to take maintenance issues seriously and that we will be conducting inspections to insure that they are doing their part. In addition to that, the public also learns that there are trained professionals inspecting commercial vehicles to make sure that the roads are safe for the motoring public.”