June is Commercial Vehicle Safety Month

June is Commercial Vehicle Safety Month in the Alberta Traffic Safety Calendar and we are teaming up with our partners in the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) to ensure commercial vehicles and their drivers are operating safely on the roads.

Although this work happens year-round, this month we are raising awareness around the most common issues inspectors find while conducting commercial vehicle inspections.

It is not uncommon for a large percentage of inspected vehicles to be ordered out-of-service for deficiencies. Last year, the Calgary Police Service inspected 771 commercial vehicles and placed 630 out-of-service for failed inspections. That translates to a failure rate of 82 per cent. The most common issues were with cargo securement, brake systems, lighting devices, tires, and hours of service for the operators.

"We want to remind commercial vehicle drivers to take time to address these types of issues before they begin their trip, as these deficiencies are often easy fixes and can help avoid fines, out-of-service time and ensure the roads remain safe for all drivers,” says CVSA Inspector and CPS Traffic Sgt. Colin Foster.

“Drivers are responsible for the care and condition of the vehicle they are in. Whether you are driving a commercial truck, or hauling a trailer for recreational or transportation purposes, it is your job to ensure you meet safety requirements,” he adds.

The CVSA establishes industry-wide safety standards across Canada, the United States and Mexico. The Calgary Police Service Traffic Section has 15 officers trained and certified as CVSA Inspectors. The Sheriff Highway Patrol conducts traffic enforcement on provincial highways and operates 17 vehicle inspection stations and 24 mobile weigh scales throughout the province as part of its commercial vehicle enforcement mandate.

The North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria is the pass-fail criteria for inspections and identifies critical violations that can prohibit a motor carrier or driver from operating a commercial motor vehicle for a specified period of time, or until the condition is corrected.

A list of the requirements and resources are available on the CVSA website, including a North American Standard Roadside Inspection Vehicle Cheat Sheet at www.cvsa.org/inspections/resources.