North Bay police, OPP blitz finds unsafe commercial vehicles

Police officers conduct a motor vehicle inspection in North Bay, Ont., in February 2026. (File photo/Supplied/North Bay Police Service)

Authorities say a joint enforcement initiative conducted by the North Bay Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police resulted in 16 tickets and one vehicle being removed from the road.

Officers focused on commercial motor vehicles during a blitz on Pinewood Park Drive on March 18. The operation marked a follow-up to previous enforcement efforts in the area last month.

Police said 22 vehicles were stopped during the initiative. Of those, 14 underwent detailed inspections under the Highway Traffic Act.

The enforcement led to 16 Provincial Offence Notices being issued, along with eight cautions.

“While we’ve seen improvement among commercial motor vehicle operators since our February initiative, these results show there is still work to be done to ensure our shared roadways remain safe,” said Const. Douglas MacIntosh of the North Bay Police Service.

One vehicle was deemed unsafe and taken out of service.

Under the Highway Traffic Act, police have the authority to stop vehicles and require drivers to move to a safe location for inspection. Officers may examine the vehicle, its equipment and any trailers to ensure they meet safety standards.

When a vehicle is deemed unfit for the road, police will seize the licence plates and the vehicle is not permitted to operate until it meets safety requirements.

Joint enforcement efforts to continue

The March 18 blitz was conducted as part of a broader traffic safety strategy.

“This initiative builds on ongoing enforcement efforts and forms part of a traffic safety strategy aimed at preventing injuries, reducing collisions, and keeping area roads safe for everyone,” the North Bay Police Service said in a news release.

If a vehicle is found to be unsafe or not in compliance with regulations, drivers or operators can be required to make repairs, provide proof of compliance, or have the vehicle taken out of service until it is safe to operate.

The North Bay Police Service said it and the OPP will continue collaborative enforcement efforts as part of a broader commitment to road safety throughout the community.

“We will continue to work with our policing partners to promote compliance and address safety concerns,” MacIntosh said.