Four trucks pulled off Kingston, Ont. roads during safety blitz
A safety blitz in the Kingston area on Thursday pulled several heavy trucks off the road with some major problems.
The one-day inspection blitz was conducted in partnership between the Ministry of Transportation, Kingston Police, and Ontario Provincial Police, checking everything from brakes to engines and driver documentation on large commercial trucks.
Ministry of Transportation officer Tyler Monroe says it is important not to overlook them.
"The hub, the condition of the hub, because we don’t want one of these wheels coming off."
During the inspections, he checks every part of a truck, having seen a lot of issues in his two years on the job.
"I’ve seen quite a few things; I mean I’ve put vehicles out of service for drivers being suspended, frame members, brakes that have needed adjustment," he explains.
Sgt. Steve Koopman with Kingston Police says Ministry of Transportation numbers show that 25 per cent of commercial vehicles inspected this year across the province have been pulled off the road.
He says of the 1,500 vehicles searched, more than 400 were found non-compliant. The most common issues included issues with brakes, lighting, and suspension issues.
"It does show that there is the need for police and other agencies to continue proactive enforcement," Koopman said.
He says that can have major implications for trucks travelling through the city.
"If we have a major defect like brakes in a larger vehicle like this and it collides with another vehicle, a business, a residence, that could have some major ramifications that could lead to serious bodily harm."
Acting Staff Sgt. Jamie Davis, with the Ontario Provincial Police Frontenac Detachment, says its an issue on Highway 401 as well.
"We’ve seen major injuries and fatalities, and it’s part of our big four factors that causes collisions and fatalities,” Davis says.
Koopman says of the 22 vehicles inspected in Kingston on Thursday, four were pulled from the road, and 10 charges were laid. That’s 18 per cent of the trucks inspected.
Davis says both drivers and companies can face charges, and with thousands of trucks travelling the 401 its important truck drivers and companies understand safety rules.
“It’s absolutely critical that these inspection processes be completed prior to getting on the highway,” explains Davis.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Early estimates indicate 200 structures damaged in Halifax-area wildfire
Approximately 200 homes or structures have been damaged by the wildfire that began burning Sunday in the Upper Tantallon, N.S., area, according to preliminary estimates.

Danielle Smith's UCP holds onto power in Alberta
Danielle Smith is still the premier of Alberta, surviving a vigorous campaign and a tight vote Monday against NDP challenger Rachel Notley.
Top AI CEOs, experts raise 'risk of extinction' from AI
Top artificial intelligence executives including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Tuesday joined experts and professors in raising the 'risk of extinction from AI,' which they urged policymakers to equate at par with risks posed by pandemics and nuclear war.
'This has been called a genocide': New book details the fight for missing, murdered Indigenous women, girls
New investigative book 'Unbroken' shares the stories of families raising awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada.
opinion | Tom Mulcair: David Johnston should leave graciously while he still can
If indeed a majority of the House of Commons says David Johnston has to step down, he'll have no choice but he shouldn’t wait to be shoved. He should leave graciously while he still can, writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair.
Lone tenant in a $400-a-month apartment could hold up major Montreal condo project
Carla White is the only remaining tenant in her building, which is slated to be demolished to make room for a 176-unit condo project. But in order to move forward, the developer must reach an agreement with White -- and she says she won't leave until she's provided with a home that offers the long-term stability she needs to ensure she won't end up back on the streets.
Rare all-white panda spotted in China's Sichuan province
An all-white giant panda was recently spotted on surveillance video at the Wolong National Nature Reserve, in China's Sichuan province.
opinion | Find out how much contribution room is left in your RESP to avoid penalties
Opening a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is a great way to fund your child’s future education. Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew outlines the contribution rules for RESPs and explains how to find out how much contribution room you have left so that you can avoid penalties.
Taipei's hottest new menu item is a 14-legged crustacean
A 14-legged giant isopod is the highlight of a new dish at a ramen restaurant in Taipei and it has people queuing up—both for pictures and for a bite from this bowl of noodles.