Joint operation sees inspection of 26 CMVs in North Bay

Ontario Provincial Police, the MTO and North Bay police say a recent enforcement blitz of commercial motor vehicles uncovered some disturbing issues.

Police forces and members of the Ministry of Transportation conducted a joint inspection operation Feb. 25, stopping 26 commercial motor vehicles and laying 27 charges after inspections.

In addition to the MTO, North Bay police and Ontario Provincial Police officers took part in the blitz.

The initiative included 17 Level 1 inspections. The 27 charges were for issues such as defective brakes, structural deficiencies, overweight loads, missing documentation and permit violations.

Four of the CMVs were taken off the road, police said in a news release this week.

Other problems the inspections found included one vehicle exceeding registered weight by more than 11,500 kg, structural defects such as rotten frames, and, in one case, a hole through the driver’s seat floor.

Missing wheel fasteners were also found, along with flat tires and inoperative parking brakes or turn signals.

“Due to their size and weight, collisions involving CMVs can cause serious injury or death,” police said.

“Enforcement helps prevent these incidents by ensuring vehicles are safe, properly documented and lawfully operated.”

Officers were pleased to find that many larger commercial vehicles, such as transport trucks, “were fully compliant, demonstrating that many operators take road safety seriously,” police said.

“Properly maintained and legally operated vehicles reduce the risk of preventable crashes.”