Upcoming Traffic enforcement blitz to focus on commercial vehicles

NEWS RELEASE
THUNDER BAY POLICE SERVICE
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The Thunder Bay Police Service’s Traffic Unit will be working with members of the Ministry of Transportation Ontario during an upcoming Commercial Motor Vehicle compliance enforcement blitz.

The focus of this blitz will be on commercial and passenger vehicle fitness.

These focused-enforcement initiatives help ensure our roadways are safer for all motorists and pedestrians. All motorists are urged to ensure their vehicle is in a safe and road worthy condition, as failing to do so represents a serious risk to community safety.

Vehicles found out of compliance can receive an order to have deficiencies repaired, plates removed and/or charges under the Highway Traffic Act.
Common defects found include:

• Leaking brake fluid, exhaust, and/or gas
• Load security
• Wheels, tires, and mudguards
• Parking brake failure
• Vehicle width
• Signal, brake, and/or taillights
• Suspension springs broken, steering ball and socket joints with excessive free play.
• Failing to complete required Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) documentation (pre trip inspection and logbook
• CMV failing to have a valid annual safety inspection (device)

The Thunder Bay Police Service would like to take this moment to thank all motorists who continue to drive in a responsible manner, remain sober and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and safe.

Penalty for driving unsafe vehicle
84 (1) No person shall drive or operate or permit the driving or operation upon a highway of a vehicle, a streetcar or vehicles that in combination are in a dangerous or unsafe condition. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 84; 2009, c. 33, Sched. 26, s. 3 (9).

Penalty
(2) Every person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and, if the offence was committed by means of a commercial motor vehicle, on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $400 and not more than $20,000. 1996, c. 20, s. 19; 2014, c. 9, Sched. 2, s. 30.

Inspections, unsafe vehicles
82 (2) Every police officer and every officer appointed for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act may require the driver of any vehicle, other than a bicycle that is not a power-assisted bicycle, to stop, move the vehicle to a safe location as directed by the officer and submit the vehicle, together with its equipment and any vehicle drawn by it, to the examinations and tests that the officer may consider expedient. 2017, c. 2, Sched. 17, s. 7.