Police, MTO partner for cold-weather truck inspections blitz in northern Ont.

OPP and MTO braved the cold last week in in Sundridge for a truck inspection blitz. All 10 commercial trucks inspected were clean.

A commercial motor vehicle inspection initiative in the Sundridge, Ont., area this week yielded encouraging results. Provincial police said with the majority of trucks found to be in safe working order.

Last week, members of the North East Region OPP Traffic Unit partnered with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to conduct the checks.

“We are here today in Sundridge. We’re working with our MTO partners doing a truck inspection blitz,” said OPP Sgt. Rutenbeek in a social media video regarding the Feb. 12 operation.

Despite frigid temperatures, officers remained on site to ensure vehicles were compliant with safety standards.

“It’s cold out, but there’s still trucks driving out there, and we’re just ensuring road safety right now,” said Rutenbeek.

“People have to think that because it’s cold, we’re not going to be inspecting trucks. Well, yes, we are.”

Police reported that roughly 10 trucks were inspected during the initiative.

“A lot of good results,” said Rutenbeek.

“Every truck that’s come through here has been clean, has been good. So, it’s really encouraging for us to see that there’s great operators and great drivers out there.”

OPP said that the majority of vehicles inspected were compliant, adding that many professional operators prioritize proper maintenance.

When an unsafe vehicle is identified, officers said it is removed from service until the necessary repairs are completed.

“If we do come across a truck that’s really unsafe, yeah, we will pull it out of service until it’s fixed,” said Rutenbeek.

Police emphasized that the goal of the operation is to promote safety for all road users, particularly on northern Ontario highways.

“Our main goal here today is to ensure safe roads, safe vehicles,” said Rutenbeek.

“It’s important that as road users, we all take part, whether you’re driving a car or driving a truck. It’s equally important to ensure that we’re safe.”